By Oni Ladonette Ondesa
Journalist kick442.com – Cameroon
Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw has issued a full apology after admitting that a rush of nerves led him to order his players off the pitch during Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final.
Speaking after Senegal’s extra-time victory over Morocco, Thiaw did not attempt to deflect blame. Instead, he accepted responsibility for a moment that briefly brought the continent’s showpiece match to a halt.
The flashpoint came late in regulation time. Senegal thought they had scored a decisive goal, only for it to be ruled out for a foul in the build-up. Minutes later, following a VAR review, Morocco were awarded a penalty at the other end. As the stadium erupted, Thiaw waved his players toward the tunnel.
Quite simply, we did not agree with the decision,” Thiaw said. “In a moment of anger, I told the players to leave the pitch. After reflecting on it, I didn’t like how I acted. I apologise to the world of football for that.”
The interruption lasted close to 15 minutes and threatened to derail the final entirely. It was ultimately Senegal’s senior figures who prevented an abandonment. Sadio Mané remained on the pitch, refusing to follow the initial instruction, before sprinting down the tunnel to persuade his teammates to return.
Mané later revealed he sought guidance in the heat of the moment, speaking with experienced figures including former Senegal coach Claude Le Roy and ex-captain El Hadji Diouf.
Thiaw acknowledged that his decision was driven by emotion rather than judgement.
Sometimes we act out of nerves,” he said. “We questioned whether the penalty was even valid, but we accept the referee’s mistakes. That is part of football. We are not making excuses.”
Morocco head coach Walid Regragui was furious during the delay and remained outspoken after the final whistle. He described the walk-off as “shameful” for African football and argued that the stoppage disrupted his side’s momentum.
Regragui suggested the delay played a role in Brahim Díaz failing to convert the penalty. Normally reliable, the forward attempted a Panenka that was comfortably saved by Édouard Mendy, a moment that swung the match back in Senegal’s favour. Pape Gueye later scored the winner in extra time to seal a 1–0 victory.
CAF is expected to issue a formal response in the coming days. While the tournament has delivered no shortage of controversy, this was the first time a collective walk-off occurred in an AFCON final.
For Senegal, the trophy is heading back to Dakar for the second time. But the image of the Teranga Lions turning toward the tunnel will endure as a reminder of the fine line between passion and loss of control on African football’s biggest stage.
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