Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw has issued a full apology after admitting that a rush of nerves led him to order his players off the pitch during Sundays Africa Cup of Nations final.
Speaking after Senegals extra-time victory over Morocco, Thiaw did not attempt to deflect blame. Instead, he accepted responsibility for a moment that briefly brought the continents showpiece match to a halt.
The flashpoint came late in regulation time. Senegal thought they had scored a decisive goal, only for it to be ruled out for a foul in the build-up. Minutes later, following a VAR review, Morocco were awarded a penalty at the other end. As the stadium erupted, Thiaw waved his players toward the tunnel.
The interruption lasted close to 15 minutes and threatened to derail the final entirely. It was ultimately Senegals senior figures who prevented an abandonment. Sadio Man remained on the pitch, refusing to follow the initial instruction, before sprinting down the tunnel to persuade his teammates to return.
Man later revealed he sought guidance in the heat of the moment, speaking with experienced figures including former Senegal coach Claude Le Roy and ex-captain El Hadji Diouf.
Thiaw acknowledged that his decision was driven by emotion rather than judgement.
Morocco head coach Walid Regragui was furious during the delay and remained outspoken after the final whistle. He described the walk-off as shameful for African football and argued that the stoppage disrupted his sides momentum.
Regragui suggested the delay played a role in Brahim Daz failing to convert the penalty. Normally reliable, the forward attempted a Panenka that was comfortably saved by douard Mendy, a moment that swung the match back in Senegals favour. Pape Gueye later scored the winner in extra time to seal a 10 victory.
CAF is expected to issue a formal response in the coming days. While the tournament has delivered no shortage of controversy, this was the first time a collective walk-off occurred in an AFCON final.
For Senegal, the trophy is heading back to Dakar for the second time. But the image of the Teranga Lions turning toward the tunnel will endure as a reminder of the fine line between passion and loss of control on African footballs biggest stage.
