AFCON 2025: Pape Gueye admits Senegal’s final walk-off was a mistake

AFCON 2025: Pape Gueye admits Senegal’s final walk-off was a mistake

Senegal’s AFCON 2025 match-winner, Pape Gueye, has admitted that the Lions of Teranga made a mistake by walking off the pitch during their final against Morocco.

Speaking on a French programme, Téléfoot, on Sunday, January 25, the 26-year-old midfielder reflected on the chaotic scenes in Rabat that saw Senegal temporarily abandon the field in protest at a 98th-minute penalty awarded to the hosts.

Read Also: Gueye brace fires Senegal into AFCON 2025 quarter-finals

Gueye went on to score the decisive goal in extra time as Senegal edged Morocco 1–0 in a dramatic and ill-tempered final to claim their second Africa Cup of Nations title.

The match was overshadowed by controversy after Morocco were awarded a late penalty, prompting the Senegalese players to walk off and causing a delay of around 20 minutes. When play eventually resumed, Brahim Díaz missed the spot kick before Gueye struck the winner in extra time.

Read Also: Senegal walk off in protest, then return to beat Morocco and clinch AFCON 2025 title

“We are only human. We realised our mistake and came back out,” Gueye said. “Anyone can make a mistake.”

The Villarreal midfielder praised former Liverpool forward Sadio Mané, who stayed on the pitch during the standoff and convinced his teammates to return so the penalty could be taken.

“He found the right thing to say at the right moment, and it shows just how important he is to us,” Gueye said. “We owe him a big thank you.”

Senegal’s frustration had been heightened moments earlier when a goal was ruled out for what appeared to be a soft foul, further inflaming tensions late in normal time.

Head of Sports at BusinessDay Media, a seasoned Digital Content Producer, and FIFA/CAF Accredited Journalist with over a decade of sports reporting.Has a deep understanding of the Nigerian and global sports landscape and skills in delivering comprehensive and insightful sports content.

Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date