As the highly anticipated match between OM and Nice approaches this Sunday evening, Senegalese goalkeeper Yéhvann Diouf shared his reflections on an unforgettable season with L’Équipe. Though he spent significant time on the bench, his journey was filled with intense emotions, culminating in the intense African Cup of Nations final against Morocco.
«The match was extraordinary,» he admitted, reflecting on his time at Reims. «Like so many others, I would have preferred a different outcome—one where victory was clear from start to finish. Unfortunately, the entire event was overshadowed by controversies involving the federations, the CAN, and the continent as a whole. Still, the most important thing is that the game was played, and Senegal emerged victorious.»
Three months after the thrilling African Cup of Nations final between Senegal and Morocco, Yéhvann Diouf opened up about his experiences, including a controversial moment late in the game.
Diouf chooses to focus solely on Senegal’s hard-fought triumph on the pitch, highlighted by Pape Gueye’s decisive extra-time goal (1-0). He sidesteps the post-match fallout, including the CAF’s controversial decision to award victory on forfeit to Morocco—a decision now under review by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Senegal vs Morocco: the controversy that should never have happened
As a player for Nice, Diouf witnessed firsthand some of the incidents that followed the final, including one that sparked widespread debate. The incident involving a towel—something he protected from Moroccan players—became a talking point long after the final whistle.
«I only realized its significance when we returned home,» he explained. «Fans kept thanking me, but all I can say is that if it helped Édouard (Mendy) perform at his best, that’s great. Still, it shouldn’t have happened at all. Sure, it might seem amusing or add a bit of local flavor, but most importantly, it endangered my safety.»
