AFCON 2025 has officially entered the history books, but the debate surrounding the tournament is far from over.
Praised for its organization and atmosphere, the competition nevertheless ended in a storm of controversy, particularly during the final between Senegal and Morocco. Refereeing decisions once again fueled criticism, reinforcing the feeling among many observers that the host nation benefited from questionable advantages.
Beyond refereeing, another incident shocked fans and players alike: the repeated theft of goalkeepers’ towels. Throughout the tournament, Moroccan ball boys, some officials and even some players attempted to remove towels used by opposing goalkeepers.
In the final, cameras clearly captured several attempts to snatch Edouard Mendy’s towel. At one point, Achraf Hakimi himself tried to grab and throw it away before E.H.M. Diouf intervened to recover and return it, while substitute goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf stayed close to protect Mendy.
Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali also suffered from this practice during Nigeria’s semi-final defeat against Morocco, losing several towels in suspicious circumstances. After Senegal’s triumph, Nwabali chose irony over silence, sending a sharp message to Moroccan fans:
“Use my towel to wipe away your tears.” A sentence that perfectly sums up the lingering bitterness and confirms that, even after the final whistle, AFCON 2025 continues to stir emotions and controversy.