As the Senegal-Nice match approached this past Sunday evening, Yéhvann Diouf shared his reflections on an unforgettable season in an interview with L’Équipe. The Senegalese international, who often found himself on the bench, experienced a rollercoaster of emotions throughout the campaign. The highlight, of course, was the Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco.
“The match was incredible,” Diouf admitted. “Like many others, I would have preferred a different outcome—not just in terms of the result, but in how everything unfolded. There were so many issues that tainted the reputation of the federations, the CAN, and the entire continent. But ultimately, what matters is that the game reached its conclusion and that Senegal emerged victorious.”
Three months after the Africa Cup of Nations final between Senegal and Morocco, Yéhvann Diouf opened up about his experience, including the controversial incident at the end of the match.
Diouf remains focused on the pitch victory, where Senegal’s Lions of Teranga claimed a 1-0 extra-time win—thanks to Pape Gueye’s decisive goal. He chooses not to dwell on the aftermath, including the CAF’s decision to award Morocco a forfeit victory (a decision now under review by the Court of Arbitration for Sport).
Senegal vs Morocco: the incident that should never have happened
As a player on the bench, Diouf witnessed firsthand the tense moments that followed the final whistle, particularly an incident involving a towel that sparked widespread debate. The Senegalese player defended the item, which became a symbol of the match’s aftermath.
“I only realized its significance when we returned to the locker room,” he explained. “Fans kept mentioning it, thanking me. All I can say is, if it helped Édouard Mendy perform at his best, then that’s positive. But ideally, it never should have occurred. While it may seem amusing or add to the folklore, it was unacceptable. Above all, my safety was compromised.”
