Johnson Progress

The aftermath of the African Cup of Nations final has been dominated by revelations of an extraordinary intervention to prevent the match’s abandonment, coupled with official condemnations and a public apology.

A last-minute intervention by top tournament officials, led by CAF President Patrice Motsepe, prevented the continent’s showpiece event from descending into chaos, following sensational revelations of a forced “gentleman’s agreement” that instructed Morocco not to score a stoppage-time penalty.

The historic final in Rabat was thrown into disarray when Senegal’s team, the Lions of Teranga, stormed off the pitch in protest after Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty in the final minute of regular time.

The 14-minute stoppage threatened to derail the final, which was being broadcast to a global audience.

According to a high-ranking member of the Moroccan Local Organizing Committee (LOC), who spoke on strict condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, Senegal had resolved to abandon the match entirely.

The official revealed that direct and urgent action from Confederation of African Football (CAF) leadership was required to salvage the situation.

The LOC official explained the severity of the standoff, stating, “Senegal had decided to abandon the game after refusing all pleas from the fourth official to continue the game under protest.”

He specifically credited the swift action of CAF President Patrice Motsepe, emphasizing, “You need to glorify your (South African) neighbour…Motsepe for his wisdom in saving the situation.”

Facing an unprecedented crisis, the match commissioner, with consent from CAF, summoned referee Ndala and the two team captains, Achraf Hakimi of Morocco and Idrissa Gana Gueye of Senegal.

In a tense meeting, officials threatened severe punitive measures, including a potential ban for one of the teams, if play did not resume.

A highly unusual compromise was then brokered.

The official explained that the commissioner, with the captains’ agreement, devised a solution to resolve the immediate impasse.

He disclosed the terms, saying, “The match commissioner with consent from both captains swiftly suggested that the penalty be taken but must not be scored.”

Following this agreement, Senegal’s captain recalled his teammates from the dressing room.

In a bizarre and anti climatic scene, Morocco’s Brahim Diaz, the tournament’s top scorer, complied with the arrangement.

From the penalty spot, he made a soft pass directly to Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, nullifying the controversial penalty award.

The official defended the extraordinary decision, noting it considered the match’s unique context.

He stated, “It was the best solution that could be reached…from a humanity and sportsmanship point of view it was going to be painful for either team to lose the game that way,” pointing out that the disputed call came moments after Senegal had been denied a similar appeal.

The match subsequently proceeded to extra time, where Pape Gueye scored a 94th-minute winner to secure a 1-0 victory for Senegal.

In the aftermath, Senegal’s coach, Pape Thiaw, offered a public apology for his team’s actions.

He expressed regret, saying, “I didn’t appreciate at all that I told my players to leave the field. I apologize for football. After reflection, I had them come back. Sometimes, you can react in the heat of the moment. But we accept the referee’s mistakes. We offer our apologies to football.”

However, the incident drew stern criticism from the highest level of world football. FIFA President Gianni Infantino, while congratulating both finalists on Instagram, issued a strong condemnation of the events.

He wrote, “Unfortunately, we also witnessed unacceptable scenes on the field and in the stands – we strongly condemn the behaviour of some ‘supporters’ as well as some Senegalese players and technical staff members.”

Infantino underscored the gravity of the walk-off and subsequent violence, asserting, “It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this manner, and equally, violence cannot be tolerated in our sport, it is simply not right.”

He concluded by reinforcing the fundamental principles of the game, stating, “We must always respect the decisions taken by the match officials on and off the field of play. Teams must compete on the pitch and within the Laws of the Game, because anything less puts the very essence of football at risk.”

Despite the farcical scenes, the LOC official maintained that referee Ndala’s overall performance was considered superb by technical committees and would not affect his selection for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, leaving the football world to debate an unprecedented finale where competition was allegedly suspended by executive order.