Senegal’s head coach, Pape Thiaw, abandoned his post-match media duties after Moroccan journalists jeered him upon entering the room.
While reporters from Senegal applauded the 44-year-old, local press responded with boos, prompting the manager to walk out without addressing questions about his controversial decision to remove his players from the field.
Morocco’s Walid Regragui, who faced calls to resign during his own press conference, launched a scathing attack on his counterpart.
Regragui said: “The image we’ve given of Africa is shameful. A coach who asks his players to leave the field… What Pape did does not honour Africa.”
Match-winner Pape Gueye revealed that captain Sadio Mane rallied the squad during the chaos.
The midfielder explained: “We were frustrated, but Sadio told us to come back on the pitch to remobilise us.”
Senegal claimed their second Africa Cup of Nations title in five years following a dramatic 1-0 extra-time victory over hosts Morocco in Rabat.
The final descended into unprecedented controversy when coach Pape Thiaw instructed his players to leave the pitch during stoppage time in protest at a penalty awarded against them.
Senegal’s head coach, Pape Thiaw, abandoned his post-match media duties after Moroccan journalists jeered him upon entering the room
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The Lions of Teranga had believed they had secured victory in the 92nd minute, only for the referee to have already whistled for a foul against Abdoulaye Seck for pushing Achraf Hakimi.
Channel 4 commentator Efan Ekoku described that decision as “very soft” during the broadcast.
Tensions escalated further when VAR intervened to award Morocco a spot-kick after El Hadji Malick Diouf was judged to have fouled Brahim Diaz.
Thiaw’s response to the penalty decision was extraordinary, as he ordered his entire squad to walk off the field in protest.
Pape Gueye’s magnificent strike in extra time secured the Lions of Teranga their second continental crown in the past three tournaments
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GETTYThe former Nigeria international Ekoku criticised the move on television, saying: “It was soft. It was foolish and reckless by El Hadji Malick Diouf, but the decision had been made and the players have to abide by that.
“You cannot do that. However aggrieved you feel at it you have got to let the referee and the rules make the decision. I have got some sympathy, but this is not a good look.”
During the lengthy delay, disorder broke out in the stands as some supporters attempted to enter the playing surface, leading to clashes with riot police.
Sadio Mane eventually led his teammates back onto the pitch and the match resumed with Diaz stepping up to take the spot-kick 24 minutes into added time.
The Africa Cup of Nations final descended into chaos | GETTYThe Real Madrid midfielder opted for an audacious panenka, but goalkeeper Edouard Mendy comfortably gathered the chipped effort, squandering Morocco’s opportunity to clinch the trophy.
With the hosts unable to capitalise, the contest moved into extra time where Senegal seized control.
Pape Gueye struck a superb goal just four minutes into the additional period to put the Lions of Teranga ahead.
Regragui reflected on the heartbreak: “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.”
