How Sadio Mané saved the final: AFCON hero reveals the captain’s role in Senegal’s return

Match winner breaks silence after Rabat controversy

How Sadio Mané saved the final: AFCON hero reveals the captain’s role in Senegal’s return

Senegal midfielder Pape Gueye said his team made the wrong decision by leaving the pitch during the AFCON 2025 final against Morocco.

Senegal match winner Pape Gueye spoken openly about the tense scenes that unfolded during the AFCON 2025 final against Morocco in Rabat.

The 26 year-old midfielder scored the decisive goal in extra time as Senegal won 1-0 to lift their second Africa Cup of Nations title in four year.

However the final was overshadowed by controversy after Senegal briefly walked off the pitch following late penalty decision.

Morocco awarded spot kick in the final minutes of normal time, just moments after Senegal had goal ruled out.

The decision sparked anger from the Senegal players who left the field in protest delaying the match for around 20 minute.

“We realised it was wrong”

Speaking on French television, Gueye admitted that the walk off was mistake.

“We are only human. We realised our mistake and came back out” he said adding that anyone can make an error in such emotional circumstances.

Senegal eventually returned to the pitch to allow the match to continue avoiding what could have become even bigger incident in tournament’s biggest game.

Diaz misses Panenka penalty

After Senegal returned, Morocco forward Brahim Diaz missed the penalty attempting bold Panenka finish that was saved.

Gueye expressed surprise at Diaz’s choice saying it was very risky decision in such high pressure moment.

“It was daring and I would not have risked that myself” the Senegal midfielder explained.

Shortly after Gueye struck the winning goal in extra time to secure the trophy for Senegal.

Special praise for Sadio Mane

Gueye also praised captain Sadio Mane who stayed on the pitch during the chaos and urged his teammates to return.

“He found the right words at the right moment” Gueye said. “It shows how important he is to us. We owe him a big thank you”

Mane’s leadership was seen as a key reason Senegal avoided abandoning the match entirely.

Morocco refer incident to CAF & FIFA

Following the final the Moroccan Football Federation officially referred the walk off and crowd behaviour to both the Confederation of African Football CAF and FIFA.