The roar of the crowd, the sheer desperation for a taxi in a torrential downpour at 1 am, the chaotic scuffles between fans, journalists, and stewards – these are the indelible memories etched in my mind from the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat. It was, without a doubt, the most bewildering and unforgettable match I’ve ever had the privilege to witness, and likely ever will.
However, transcending the madness and the raw emotion that exposed both the sublime and the absurd of the beautiful game, the most potent recollection is the unadulterated ecstasy, the jubilant celebrations, and the tears of joy that flowed from the Senegalese players and their devoted supporters after clinching the tournament on Moroccan soil.
Adding a touch of surreal serendipity to the evening, a wrong turn while attempting to navigate my way out of the stadium led to an accidental encounter with none other than Sadio Mané. Sporting a grin so wide it seemed to stretch from Rabat all the way to Dakar, he exuded pure, unadulterated happiness. This moment, I believe, perfectly encapsulated the crowning achievement of an often-underestimated yet undeniably brilliant career. This second AFCON title sits proudly alongside his Champions League, Premier League, and Bundesliga honours, arguably his most significant triumph given his profound impact both on and off the pitch.
The stark contrast to Mané’s elation was the profound despair of Real Madrid’s Brahim Díaz. He was inconsolable, utterly devastated after his missed penalty, which would have secured victory for Morocco on home turf. The collective groan that rippled through the stadium, comprising over 65,000 heartbroken fans, was palpable. The air was thick with disappointment as locals grappled with how their team had let such a monumental opportunity slip through their fingers in such a dramatic fashion.
The following day, as I waited for my flight home, the dejection lingered on the faces of those I encountered in the city. Dining at the Dar Naji restaurant in the city centre, my lemon chicken tagine tasted all the more bittersweet as I observed the downcast expressions of my fellow patrons, their smiles turned upside down.
The anger of Morocco’s coach, Walid Regragui, was also a prominent memory. His tenure, which had seen him guide the team to a World Cup semi-final and an AFCON final, was cut short weeks later. The federation cited a need for a “new lease of life and different energy,” suggesting the wounds of this particular loss were too deep for their most successful manager to overcome.
And what of the Senegalese fans? Those fortunate enough to be present will forever cherish the overwhelming euphoria of seeing their heroes – Mané, goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, and captain Kalidou Koulibaly (who was suspended for the final but still a vital part of the squad) – lift the coveted trophy.
Back home in Senegal, hundreds of thousands lined the streets, a sea of humanity that will carry the indelible image of their heroes parading on an open-top bus to their dying days. They had camped out overnight, enduring the wait for hours, all for a fleeting glimpse of Mané and his teammates. In their eyes, it was unequivocally worth it.
A Controversial U-turn: CAF’s Shock Decision
Yet, a mere two months later, we are told that all these cherished memories, this monumental achievement, are now rendered meaningless. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has controversially overturned the result, declaring Senegal to have forfeited the match. The federation’s assertion is that Senegal walked off the pitch – with the score locked at 0-0 – in protest against a penalty awarded by DR Congo referee Jean-Jacques Ndala.
The drama unfolded after 17 minutes of Senegal’s refusal to continue playing. Their anger was further fuelled by a questionable foul that disallowed a goal at the other end. Eventually, Brahim Díaz stepped up to take the penalty, only for his effort to be saved by former Chelsea custodian Edouard Mendy. The match then proceeded to extra time, where Villarreal’s Pape Gueye scored what was universally believed to be the winning goal.
However, a subsequent statement from CAF declared Senegal had been “declared to have forfeited the final match” by walking off, thereby awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory.
Senegal has vowed to appeal this decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), labelling it an “unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable decision which brings discredit to African football.”
And indeed, it does. The most glaring issue is the timing of CAF’s pronouncement. Had this decision been made immediately after Pape Thiaw ordered his players off the pitch, it might have been understandable, albeit contentious.
While the refereeing was undeniably abysmal and the stakes incredibly high, allowing teams to walk off in protest sets a perilous precedent. If such behaviour were to become commonplace, many a Premier League match would never reach completion, given the occasional lapses in officiating.
However, to deliver such a damning verdict two months after the event is, frankly, a stinking decision. Senegal’s federation rightly described it as a “travesty.” This situation echoes the potential ramifications of Manchester City’s ongoing legal battles. While titles can be stripped away, they can never erase the visceral feeling of Sergio Agüero’s last-minute, title-clinching goal against QPR in 2012. For many City fans, that moment, alongside their Champions League triumph in Istanbul, remains the pinnacle of their club’s history. The same sentiment applies to Senegal. CAF may strip them of the trophy, but they can never diminish the raw emotion and the unadulterated joy of that unforgettable night in Rabat.
By sheer coincidence, I was present at the Etihad Stadium on the very Tuesday night when the news of CAF’s about-face broke. My gaze fell upon Brahim Díaz, sitting on the Real Madrid bench, having played a significant portion of their victory over Pep Guardiola’s side.
He might have offered a smile, a laugh, and even held an imaginary trophy aloft as he acknowledged the away support at full-time. But what will truly be his enduring memory of the only home AFCON he will ever have the chance to play in?
It will undoubtedly be the sting of missing the penalty that could have etched his name into Moroccan footballing legend. It will be the memory of wiping away tears as he watched Senegal lift the trophy he so desperately desired. It will be the dark days that followed, where the urge to even leave his home likely felt overwhelming.
Senegal, its players, and its legions of jubilant fans, armed with lifelong happy memories, will forever be the true champions. CAF and its president, Patrice Motsepe, will be remembered for this deeply flawed decision. As for Morocco, they may be listed as winners on Wikipedia, but the reality on the ground, the emotional truth, tells a very different story.
