‘We Shouldn’t Have Done It’: Senegal Coach, Pape Thiaw Regrets AFCON 2025 Final Pitch Exit

Senegal coach Pape Thiaw has issued a public apology after his controversial decision to briefly withdraw his players from the pitch during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco in Rabat.

The Lions of Teranga eventually returned to complete the match, which they won 1-0 after extra time, but the incident sparked heated debate across the continent.

The flashpoint came when referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded a penalty to Morocco’s Brahim Diaz shortly after disallowing a Senegalese goal.

Furious at the decision, Thiaw instructed his players to leave the field of the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. It was only after intervention from Sadio Mané, supported by veteran coach Claude Le Roy, that the team returned to continue the final.

Speaking to beIN Sports after the victory, Thiaw admitted his reaction had been misguided.

‘We didn’t agree, that’s just it. After thinking about it, I didn’t appreciate at all telling my players to get out. I apologize for football. I brought them back. Sometimes we can react in the heat of the moment.

‘We wondered if this penalty could exist if our goal had not been awarded before. But now we accept the referee’s mistakes, it can happen. We shouldn’t have done it, but it’s already done. We apologize.’

His Moroccan counterpart Walid Regragui condemned the gesture, calling it damaging to the image of African football.

‘The image that has been given of Africa today is a bit shameful. When a coach asks his players to leave the field… In the end, you always have to stay classy, in defeat as well as in victory. What Pape did tonight does not honor Africa, it is not classy, but it does not matter, he is African champion so he has the right to say what he wants.’