Senegal coach Pape Bouna Thiaw was roundly jeered and then walked out of his scheduled post-match press conference as the drama of Sunday’s contentious Africa Cup of Nations final continued well after the final whistle.

Thiaw ordered his players off the field in protest at a penalty awarded against them before they returned to beat hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time and win the trophy.

Thiaw had been expected to explain his decision at the post-match press conference, but when he entered the room, the coach was jeered by Moroccan journalists while their Senegalese counterparts clapped.

Failure by officials to quieten a rowdy room led to Thiaw leave.

The Senegal coach was central to the farcical scenes that clouded the final and could face heavy sanctions from the Confederation of African Football.

The penalty was awarded following a VAR check by Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala after Brahim Diaz had been tugged to the ground by Senegal full back El Hadji Malick Diouf while defending a corner five minutes into stoppage time.

But Senegal reacted angrily to the decision and walked off, some players going down the tunnel and into their changing room. It took 14 minutes before they returned and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy saved Diaz’s poorly taken Panenka-style chipped spot kick.

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African football would have been hoping for a thrilling end to a slick and competitive Cup of Nations tournament, but will wake up on Monday with a major headache after the final between Senegal and hosts Morocco descended into farce.

Senegal, who won 1-0 after extra time, staged a walk-out after they had a penalty awarded against them deep in stoppage time at the end of the match.

They were ordered off the field by their coach, Pape Bouna Thiaw, with some players going back to the dressing room, and it was only after Sadio Mane cajoled them back that the game continued.

“What did we say to each other? That’s between us. We did it together, and we came back together, that’s all that matters,” said goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, one of those involved in ugly scenes of jostling and arguing between the players.

A 14-minute delay between the awarding of the penalty, after a lengthy VAR review, and the taking of the kick was followed by a tame effort from Morocco’s Brahim Diaz, who had been their star performer as they reached the final for the first time in 22 years.

His Panenka-style chipped effort floated into Mendy’s arms, leaving the game goalless and having to go into extra time.

“He attempted the Panenka, but I stayed on my feet. We kept the team in the game, and I helped my team at that moment,” Mendy added

The penalty was awarded following a VAR check by Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala after Brahim Diaz had been tugged to the ground by Senegal full back El Hadji Malick Diouf while defending a corner five minutes into stoppage time.

Morocco coach Walid Regragui said the delay did not help Diaz.

“But that doesn’t excuse Brahim for the way he hit the penalty. He hit it like that and we have to accept it. We were one minute from being African champions. That’s football. It’s often cruel. We missed what for some was the opportunity of a lifetime,” he said.

SUPERB WINNING GOAL

Pape Gueye won the trophy for Senegal with a superb strike four minutes into extra time, handing his country their second trophy in the last three editions and extending Morocco’s poor record in the tournament, which they have won once previously, 50 years ago.

But Senegal’s success will be overshadowed by the controversy of the walk-off, blemishing the image of the African game, which only days earlier had boasted of record worldwide revenue for its showpiece tournaments as interest spread worldwide.

“The image we’ve given of Africa is shameful,” added Regragui.

“A coach who asks his players to leave the field … What Pape did does not honour Africa. He wasn’t classy. But he is a champion, so he can say whatever he wants”

His Senegal counterpart, Thiaw, could face sanctions for his actions.

However, he missed the chance to discuss the controversy when his post-match press conference was called off after he was jeered by Moroccan journalists when he entered the room, while their Senegalese counterparts applauded him.

-Reuters

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Moroccan fans were left crestfallen on Sunday after their team lost the Africa Cup of Nations final 1-0 to Senegal after extra time in a tense encounter at Rabat’s Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

Senegal had stormed off the field in protest at a penalty awarded against them before returning to beat the hosts amid farcical scenes in the final, where nearly 67,000 home supporters had gathered hoping to see the Atlas Lions lift their first continental trophy since 1976.

Senegal midfielder Pape Gueye netted the 94th-minute winner after Morocco’s star player Brahim Diaz had squandered the chance to win it for the home side by fluffing a last-gasp penalty in normal time following a 14-minute delay.

As the referee blew the final whistle, most Moroccan fans filed out of the stadium without waiting for the trophy ceremony.

“I am so sad, and at the same time proud of our national team,” said supporter Ousama Ouaddich, his voice hoarse after cheering throughout the game.

“All we needed was an Africa Cup of Nations before going to the World Cup in June,” he said.

The defeat prolongs World Cup 2022 semi-finalists Morocco’s long wait for a second continental title despite the team being Africa’s top‑ranked side in FIFA’s standings. “It was a hard and intense game … Morocco did their best under pressure and Senegal was more composed in key moments and prevailed,” said Moroccan fan Imane Lahrich in rainy Rabat.

King Mohammed VI congratulated the Atlas Lions for their “memorable run” in a message after the game and thanked Moroccan fans for their support, while praising the organisation of the tournament.

The country’s infrastructure, the King said, had demonstrated “resilience and world‑class level of readiness ahead of hosting the 2030 World Cup.”

Despite the defeat, it has been a successful period in Morocco’s football history.

The Atlas Lions became the first African nation to reach the World Cup semi-finals at Qatar 2022 after eliminating Spain and Portugal en route to the last four.

The country’s U‑20 team won the World Cup in October after beating Argentina, and Morocco also claimed the bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Moroccan clubs and national teams across men’s, women’s and youth levels have been among the continent’s strongest performers in recent years.

This year’s Cup of Nations set records for goals scored, stadium attendance and commercial revenue, according to the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

CAF said in its annual report last year that the tournament in Morocco was expected to generate a net profit of $114 million.

-Reuters

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