As the highly anticipated OM-Nice match unfolded this past Sunday evening, Senegalese goalkeeper Yéhvann Diouf shared his reflections on an eventful season in an interview with L’Equipe. Though often relegated to the bench, the international goalkeeper navigated a rollercoaster of emotions throughout the campaign, culminating in the dramatic African Cup of Nations final against Morocco.
«The match was chaotic,» admits Diouf, reflecting on the tense showdown. «Like many, I would have preferred a different outcome—not just the victory, but a cleaner, more respectful context. Unfortunately, the tournament was overshadowed by controversies involving federations, the African Cup of Nations, and the continent as a whole. Yet, in the end, the most important thing is that the game reached its conclusion and Senegal emerged victorious.»
Senegalese goalkeeper Yéhvann Diouf discusses the highs and lows of the African Cup of Nations final against Morocco.
Diouf remains focused on the 1-0 extra-time victory secured by Pape Gueye, dismissing the post-match controversy that followed. The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) controversially awarded the win to Morocco by default, a decision now under review by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
the towel incident that overshadowed the final
Playing for OGC Nice, Diouf witnessed—and even intervened in—a bizarre incident that quickly became the talk of the tournament. The infamous towel incident saw Moroccan staff attempting to remove a towel from the Senegalese bench, sparking widespread outrage.
«I only realized the full extent of what happened after the match, when teammates and fans kept mentioning it,» Diouf explains. «My only thought was that if this somehow helped Édouard Mendy start the match in the best conditions, then it was worth it. But it shouldn’t have happened. While it may seem trivial or even humorous to some, my safety—and that of my teammates—was compromised. These are not the values we stand for.»