They say to err is human and to forgive is divine. Senegal head coach Papa Thiaw has issued a public apology for instructing his players to leave the pitch during the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations against hosts Morocco on Sunday.
The dramatic incident occurred after the centre referee awarded Morocco a penalty in the tense final.
In protest, the Teranga Lions briefly walked off the field following instructions from their coach, raising concerns over a possible abandonment of the match.
However, calm was later restored as the Senegalese players returned to the pitch and went on to secure a historic victory, eventually winning the final to clinch their second AFCON title.
Reflecting on the incident after the match, Thiaw admitted his actions were inappropriate and driven by emotion.
Thiaw said “I didn’t appreciate at all that I told my players to leave the field. I apologise to football,”.
He stated “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.”
The apology has been widely viewed as a sincere gesture that underlines respect for the spirit of the game, even amid the intense pressure of a continental final.
Despite the controversy, Senegal’s triumph remains a landmark achievement, as the Teranga Lions showed resilience and composure to overcome adversity and lift the AFCON 2025 trophy on Moroccan soil.
