The fallout from the controversial ending to the 2025 CAF AFCON Final continues with the continent’s football governing body set to pass its ruling on Senegal’s attempted boycott from the game.
Aside the boycott, another flashpoint that took place in the game was the apparent tussle between Senegal substitute goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf and ball boys over a towel that Edouard Mendy used in the game.
The same flashpoint took place in Morocco’s semifinal win over Nigeria at the competition where Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was involved.
In the CAF Confederation Cup just a week after the AFCON Final, another row took place involving the goalkeeper of Maniema Union and Moroccan side Wydad Athletic Club over a towel.
Addressing the issue in an interview with Canal+Afrique, President of the CAF Referees Committee, Olivier Safari acknowledged that it was a development CAF was looking into.
Dry gloves matter for goalkeepers, so towels are essential for grip especially before penalties.
In Nigeria vs Morocco, staff repeatedly removed Stanley Nwabali’s towel, which looked like deliberate disruption. CAF did not properly address it, so the same thing was attempted… pic.twitter.com/xsuNsqmQMJ
— Omega X D 𝕏🤴🏽 (@OmegaXDreams) January 19, 2026
“This is a problem the organisers must take into account in future competitions. A towel is not equipment for a player or a goalkeeper. When a goalkeeper carries a towel, it must be done in a sporting and fair-play manner.”
“Once it is used to shout instructions or influence the game, I believe that towel should be removed from the playing area” he said.
