Senegal coach defends AFCON final walk-off before expected sanction

Pape Thiaw, the coach of Senegal, has defended the walk-off victory in the Africa Cup of Nations final as an emotional choice made in the chaos of the situation.

Senegal left the field on Sunday just as a potential trophy-winning goal was decided against, when Morocco was awarded a penalty in stoppage time.

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On Thursday, Thiaw wrote on Instagram, “It was never my intention to go against the rules of the game I love so much.” I merely attempted to defend my players from injustice. What some might think is a violation of the law is merely an emotional response to the bias present. We made the decision to resume the game and pursue the trophy after much discussion.

Brahim Daz could take Morocco’s penalty thanks to Sadio Mane’s persuasion. In the final frame of normal time, Diaz’s effort was saved, and Senegal won 1-0 in extra time thanks to Pape Guaye’s goal.

The Moroccan Football Federation filed legal action against FIFA and the Confederation of African Football because it “significantly impacted the normal flow of the match and the players’ performance,” according to FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

As stewards battled with Senegalese behind one of the goals, the decision to award the penalty led to fights on the field with opposing players on the sidelines. Some fans were able to enter the arena and get away while the fighting continued.

After the Senegal walk-off, Brahim took his unsuccessful sport kick, which caused the game to come to a 15-minute stop.

“We had a remarkable tournament with fantastic organization,” said Thiaw, “which unfortunately ended in a dramatic manner.”

Before the final, the Moroccan hosts’ blatant lack of “fair play” was exposed by the Senegalese Football Federation, which made the Teranga Lions feel less unfair when their late goal was rejected and a penalty was given to them.