Dakar, Senegal — President Bassirou Diomaye Faye hailed the national squad in Dakar on Tuesday, two days after Senegal edged Morocco in a stoppage-time finish to secure a second Africa Cup of Nations title. During a public ceremony at the presidential palace, Faye singled out veteran forward Sadio Mané for talking his teammates into resuming Sunday’s final in Rabat after they had briefly left the pitch to protest a late Moroccan penalty. “Sadio Mané is today much more than just a player,” the president told supporters who lined the streets waving posters of the forward.
According to local reports, the contest was goalless when Moroccan winger Brahim Díaz went down in the 98th minute. Referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review, prompting Senegal’s bench to order the team off the field. Mané remained on the turf and persuaded the group to continue; Díaz’s chipped attempt was then saved by keeper Édouard Mendy.
Extra time followed, and midfielder Pape Gueye scored the winner four minutes in. World football governing body FIFA criticised the walk-off.
An official statement on Monday from president Gianni Infantino called the incident “unacceptable scenes” that “do not honour the spirit of fair play.
” The Confederation of African Football is expected to open disciplinary proceedings, though no timeline has been given. Morocco’s football federation has formally requested sanctions, arguing the disruption broke competition rules and unsettled players.
Senegalese officials have not responded publicly to the complaint.
Supporters who gathered outside the palace on Tuesday focused on the trophy. “The whole region is celebrating—Mauritania, Guinea, everyone,” fan Eugénie Vaz told local media.
Vendors sold commemorative shirts and calendars bearing Mané’s image as military bands played through the afternoon.
Senegal now holds both the 2021 and 2025 AFCON trophies, becoming the first team to retain the cup since Egypt in 2010. Further details on any disciplinary action are expected once CAF concludes its review.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 4*
