The Africa Cup of Nations final between Senegal and Morocco was overshadowed by a dramatic incident that saw the Senegalese team temporarily refuse to play after the hosts were awarded a stoppage-time penalty. The match, which Senegal went on to win 1-0 in extra time, was a chaotic affair that has drawn widespread criticism and calls for disciplinary action.
The controversy began in the 98th minute when referee Jean Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty after consulting the VAR and ruling that Senegal defender El Hadji Malick Diouf had fouled Brahim Diaz. Incensed by the decision, Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw ordered his team off the field, with only Sadio Mane remaining to try and convince his teammates to return.
After a delay of around 17 minutes, the players did eventually return to the pitch, with Diaz stepping up to take the penalty. However, his tame “Panenka” effort was easily saved by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, and Ndala immediately blew the final whistle. Pape Gueye then scored the winning goal for Senegal in the fourth minute of extra time to secure their second Africa Cup of Nations title in five years.
The scenes that unfolded have been widely condemned, with Morocco coach Walid Regragui describing Senegal’s actions as “shameful” and not honouring Africa. FIFA President Gianni Infantino also strongly criticised the “ugly scenes”, stating that violence cannot be tolerated in the sport and that the decisions of match officials must always be respected.
Senegal’s Thiaw later apologised for ordering his team off the field, acknowledging that it was an emotional reaction in the heat of the moment. Mane, the hero of Senegal’s triumph, also spoke out, saying that walking off the pitch would have been “the worst thing” and that football should not stop for such incidents.
The aftermath of the final has raised concerns about the state of refereeing and VAR in African football, with accusations that host nation Morocco had been benefiting from questionable decisions throughout the tournament. The chaotic scenes have also overshadowed what was otherwise a well-organised and successful Africa Cup of Nations, with Morocco praised for their impressive infrastructure and hosting efforts.
As the dust settles, the relevant disciplinary bodies at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) will now be tasked with determining the appropriate measures to be taken in response to the incident. The hope is that this episode will serve as a wake-up call for the need to address the issues of officiating and sportsmanship in African football, ensuring that future tournaments are remembered for the right reasons.