What should have been a straightforward Africa Cup of Nations final between Senegal and Morocco turned into a spectacle of touchline tension, as repeated interference around Senegal’s goalkeeper reignited controversy that had already surfaced earlier in the tournament.
Under persistent rain at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy repeatedly lost access to his towel — a critical item used to keep his gloves dry.
The situation quickly escalated into visible confrontations involving ball boys, substitutes, and technical staff.
Senegal Bench Fights Back as Towels Go Missing
Throughout the match, Senegal’s reserve goalkeeper, Yehvan Diouf, was seen repeatedly retrieving towels and handing them to Mendy, often while arguing with Moroccan substitutes and pitch-side officials.
Video clips circulating online captured Diouf actively guarding the towel supply as tensions simmered along the sidelines.
The unusual scenes distracted from the match itself and drew widespread criticism from fans and pundits, many of whom described the conduct as deliberate gamesmanship rather than coincidence.
Hakimi Clip Fuels Accusations of Unsporting Conduct
The controversy deepened when additional footage surfaced online appearing to show Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi throwing Mendy’s towel away from the immediate technical area.
The clip intensified accusations that the towel disruptions were intentional and coordinated.
Social media reaction was swift, with many fans accusing Morocco of exploiting the wet conditions to gain a psychological edge over Senegal’s goalkeeper.
Nigeria vs Morocco: Where the Pattern Began
Crucially, this was not the first time such incidents had been reported during the tournament.
During the AFCON semifinal between Nigeria and Morocco, Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali experienced similar touchline issues, with towels reportedly removed or delayed during crucial moments of the match.
That encounter also featured heated exchanges involving ball boys and opposing players near Nigeria’s goal area.
Following Senegal’s victory in the final, Nwabali appeared to reference the recurring issue in a pointed Instagram post, mocking Morocco by suggesting the towels could now be used to wipe away tears after defeat.
AFCON Final Defined by Chaos Beyond the Pitch
While Senegal ultimately secured the title with an extra-time goal after a missed Moroccan penalty, much of the post-match conversation centered on the touchline conduct rather than tactics or technical quality.
The repeated towel incidents across multiple matches have raised broader questions about matchday control, ball boy management, and enforcement of fair play regulations at major African tournaments.
Calls Grow for CAF Review
With similar patterns emerging in more than one high-profile fixture, fans and analysts are now calling on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to review touchline protocols to prevent future manipulation.
As Senegal celebrate their continental triumph, the AFCON 2025 final may ultimately be remembered less for the winning goal — and more for a towel that sparked one of the tournament’s most talked-about controversies.