Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations triumph should have been the perfect fairytale ending. Instead, the final in Morocco delivered one of the most controversial moments in recent AFCON history, after coach Pape Bouna Thiaw ordered his players to walk off the pitch in protest. Days later, with celebrations still echoing through the streets of Dakar, Thiaw has finally spoken openly about the incident that stunned the continent.
Read more: Morocco to appeal to CAF and FIFA after dramatic AFCON final chaos
A decision driven by emotion
In a heartfelt Instagram post on Thursday, the 44-year-old coach said the walk-off was not a calculated act of defiance but a surge of emotion rooted in a sense of injustice. The flashpoint came late in Sunday’s final when Morocco were awarded a penalty after a tense VAR review. Senegal’s players reacted immediately, leaving the field and sparking a lengthy pause in the match.
For Thiaw, it was instinct rather than strategy.
He said he was trying to protect his players from what felt like an unfair situation, explaining that while some may see the incident as breaking the rules, he viewed it as an emotional response to a moment that threatened to tilt the match.
“It was never my intention to go against the principles of the game that I love,” he wrote. “What some see as a violation was simply an emotional reaction to the bias of the situation.”
Back to the pitch and on to glory
In the end, the penalty was missed. The mood shifted. Senegal returned to finish the match, fought through extra time, and found the winning goal that sealed their second AFCON title in three editions.
That comeback added a layer of drama that social media ate up. Senegalese fans online praised the team’s resilience, calling the win “a victory of spirit” and “proof that destiny cannot be VAR’d away.” Even neutral fans admitted the emotional chaos made for one of the most unforgettable AFCON finals in recent memory.
Dakar celebrates while CAF weighs sanctions
Since the team’s return on Monday, Senegal has been in full celebration mode. Thousands filled Dakar’s streets to welcome home the champions, and the government rewarded players with bonuses of more than 130 000 dollars each and plots of coastal land. For many Senegalese supporters, it felt like the nation was reclaiming its place among Africa’s football elite.
Thiaw paid tribute to his squad, calling them “28 warriors” who sacrificed “sweat, blood, and soul” for their country. His words resonated with locals, especially given his own past as a former international player who knows the weight of national expectation.
But the celebrations may soon be interrupted by an administrative cloud. The Confederation of African Football’s disciplinary committee is expected to announce sanctions in the coming days. A walk-off, even a temporary one, is considered a serious offence in global football regulations, and CAF’s response is being closely watched.
What this moment means for African football
Beyond the immediate drama, Thiaw’s decision has unlocked a deeper conversation across the continent. Fans and analysts are debating whether emotional protests should be understood as part of the game or punished strictly to maintain order. Others argue that incidents like this highlight the growing pressure placed on referees and the emotional toll of high-stakes competitions.
What is certain is that Senegal’s win will be remembered not only for the trophy, but for the moment a coach tried to defend his players in the heat of confusion and then guided them to triumph.
A champion speaks from the heart
In closing his statement, Thiaw apologised to anyone he may have offended, but he stood firm on one point: football is a game of emotion, and in a final filled with tension, he reacted like any protector of his team might.
For now, Senegal celebrates, Africa debates, and CAF deliberates. And in the middle of it all sits a coach who chose heart over protocol and still walked away with gold.
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Source: SuperSport
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