Senegal Calls for Reconciliation with Morocco Following Controversial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Final
Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko called for calm and reconciliation with Morocco, emphasizing the importance of preserving the historical and fraternal ties between the two countries, despite the tension that marred the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday evening, January 18, 2026, in Rabat. This call came after Senegal won its second title in history with a 1-0 victory after extra time, in a match marked by dramatic and chaotic moments that sparked widespread controversy.
Details of the Incident and the Course of the Match
The referee awarded a penalty to Morocco in the eighth minute of stoppage time, prompting Senegal's coach, Pape Thiaw, to order his players to walk off the pitch in protest. The players left the field for 15 minutes amidst heightened tension and minor clashes between some Senegalese fans and security forces in the stands, resulting in the arrest of 18 fans.
The Senegalese team returned to the pitch thanks to the intervention of their captain, Sadio Mane, who refused to leave and persuaded his teammates to continue. Ibrahim Diaz missed a penalty (brilliantly saved by Edouard Mendy), then Pape Gueye scored the winning goal in the first period of extra time, securing the title for Senegal.
Sonko calls for calm and denies rumors
In an official message to the public, Sonko confirmed that he had held lengthy discussions with his Moroccan counterpart, Aziz Akhannouch, on the instructions of King Mohammed VI and Senegalese President Bassirou Diomêne Faye. He stressed the need to maintain "a spirit of peace and harmony" and warned against fake news and misinformation circulating on social media to incite discord, denying any deaths among security personnel as some rumors had suggested.
Sonko called on the public in both countries to "depoliticize" the incident, emphasizing that the shared challenges between the two nations far outweigh a football rivalry, and that Senegal is historically committed to fostering relations of peace and mutual respect. Pape Thiaw's Apology and Justification for Withdrawal
Earlier, coach Pape Thiaw posted an apology on his Instagram account, saying: "I apologize if I have caused any offense, but football fans know very well that passion is an integral part of this sport."
He added: "We experienced an exceptional tournament with superb organization, but unfortunately, it ended in a dramatic fashion. My intention was never to violate the principles of the game, which I love so much; I was simply trying to protect my players from injustice."
Thiaw emphasized that their decision to return and continue was for the sake of the Senegalese people, praising Morocco's organization of the tournament.
A Call to Preserve Historical Ties
Despite the tension surrounding the final, it appears that the Senegalese political leadership is working to contain the fallout from the incident, while stressing that sports should remain free from politicization. This approach is expected to help calm tensions between fans in both countries, while bilateral cooperation continues in the economic, security, and cultural fields.
