Senegal’s Pape Gueye admits final AFCON walk was ‘a mistake’

Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations hero Pape Gueye admitted in an interview with French television on Sunday that his team’s walk-off in the final against hosts Morocco was a «mistake».

Gueye, who scored the only goal in a controversial final in Rabat, also thanked Senegalese star Sadio Mane for convincing the team to come back from the dressing room and finish the match.

Morocco were awarded a late penalty in normal time, just after Senegal’s goal was disallowed due to a push.

The Senegalese players were furious and walked off the pitch, leading to a lengthy delay of more than 15 minutes as their fans clashed with security.

When Senegal got back on the field, Brahim Diaz squandered his penalty, an attempt on Panenka, before Gueye scored the winner in extra time.

«We are only human. We realized our mistake and got out of it,» said 26-year-old midfielder Gueye.

“Anyone can make a mistake,” he added.

Gueye praised former Liverpool star Sadio Mane, who remained on the pitch, and urged his teammates to get back into the match for the penalty.

“He found the right thing to say at the right time and it shows how important he is to us,” he said.

“We owe him a lot of gratitude.”

It was Senegal’s second AFCON title, leaving Morocco still waiting to add to their only crown from 50 years ago.

Gueye also expressed surprise that Diaz dared to take a chipped Panenka penalty.

“It was daring and I wouldn’t have risked that myself,” he said.

The Moroccan Football Federation has formally referred the defections and behavior of Senegalese supporters to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which organizes AFCON, and FIFA.

Published on January 25, 2026