Senegal coach Pape Thiaw walked out of a press conference following his team's victory over Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, after being jeered by Moroccan journalists. The incident occurred amidst the aftermath of a highly contentious final match.
Senegal secured their second AFCON title by defeating host nation Morocco 1-0 in a dramatic match that went into extra time. Pape Gueye's goal in extra time proved decisive, but the match was marred by controversy surrounding a late penalty awarded to Morocco. Senegal's players and Thiaw initially protested the penalty decision and walked off the pitch. Sadio Mane intervened, persuading the team to return and continue playing. Morocco's Brahim Diaz missed the penalty, a "Panenka" attempt saved by Édouard Mendy, adding to the drama.
Prior to the final, Thiaw had expressed concerns about factors that could disrupt the tournament. He also emphasized the need to address issues promptly and spoke of his pride as an African. He lauded the Moroccan organization of the tournament while also alluding to an incident that he felt should not have happened.
The tension of the match extended beyond the field, as Thiaw reportedly clashed with Morocco's coach Walid Regragui after the final whistle. When Thiaw arrived at the post-match press conference, he was met with applause from Senegalese journalists but jeered by their Moroccan counterparts. Shouting and arguing broke out among the reporters, leading Thiaw to leave the press conference, which was then canceled.
The defeat was a significant blow for Morocco, who were hoping to win their first AFCON title in half a century. The kingdom has invested heavily in soccer infrastructure in preparation for co-hosting the 2030 World Cup. Senegal, on the other hand, celebrated their second AFCON title, having also won in 2022.
Senegal's victory came after a strong performance throughout the tournament. They defeated Egypt in the semi-finals to reach the final. Players like Nicolas Jackson, who scored two goals against Botswana, were instrumental in their success. The team overcame the suspension of key players like Kalidou Koulibaly and Habib Diarra in the final.
