Sadio Mane explains the viral moment he told teammates back to finish the AFCON 2025 final

Senegal secured the AFCON 2025 title with a 1-0 victory over Morocco, but the final was so dramatic. Despite controlling large periods of the first half, Senegal were pushed back after the break as Morocco increased the pressure. The match remained goalless after 90 minutes.

However, in stoppage time, Senegal thought they had taken the lead in the 90+2 minute, but the goal was disallowed. Just two minutes later, Morocco were awarded a penalty after El Hadji Malick Diouf fouled Brahim Diaz. The decision sparked chaos, with Senegal players strongly protesting the call.

Several Senegal players, along with head coach Pape Thiaw, left the pitch and headed towards the dressing roomputting the final at risk of abandonment and an automatic defeat for Senegal. At that point, Mane stepped in, going against his coach’s instruction and urging his teammates to return and finish the match.

The decision proved decisive. Edouard Mendy saved Brahim Diaz’s penalty, before Pape Gueye scored the winning goal in extra time to secure Senegal’s second AFCON title.

“I think it was the best thing to do because this is just football,” Mane said after the match. “The referee sometimes can make mistakes, or maybe not, we don’t know. People will judge it. But whether it was a penalty or not is not the most important thing. More importantly, people are watching. The whole world is watching this football.”

Speaking at the post-match press conference, coach Pape Thiaw admitted his mistake and apologised for his actions. “We did not agree with the decision, that is all, and I do not want to go back over what happened in this match,” Thiaw said. “After reflecting, I really did not like the fact that I told my players to leave the pitch. I apologise to football. I brought them back.”

During the final, Mane also confirmed that AFCON 2025 would be his last appearance at the tournament. He added that he may retire from international football after the 2026 World Cup, where Senegal have been drawn in Group I alongside France, Norway and another team to be decided through the play-offs.