Yéhvann Diouf speaks out on the intense Sénégal vs Maroc final

Ahead of the clash between OM and Nice, Yéhvann Diouf shared reflections on his eventful season. The Sénégal international, who experienced both the substitutes’ bench and high-pressure starts, looked back at a year filled with powerful moments, most notably the Africa Cup of Nations final against Maroc.

« It was a wild game, the former Reims goalkeeper admitted. Like many others, I would have preferred things to go differently. While the victory was essential, the overall atmosphere was far from ideal. Several incidents unfortunately stained the reputation of the federations, the tournament, and the continent. Ultimately, what matters most is that the game reached its conclusion and Sénégal emerged victorious. »

Three months after the Africa Cup of Nations final between Sénégal and Maroc, Yéhvann Diouf recounted his experience, specifically addressing the tension at the end of the match.

Diouf remains focused on the sporting achievement of the Lions of Teranga, who secured the win on the pitch thanks to a decisive goal from Pape Gueye (1-0 after extra time). He avoids diving into the controversy surrounding the CAF decision to award Maroc a victory by forfeit—a legal battle that is currently being reviewed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Sénégal-Maroc: An incident that crossed the line

The current Nice player was in the thick of the action during several heated moments, including the widely discussed “towel affair,” where Diouf stepped in to protect his teammate’s equipment from Moroccan players.

« I only realized the impact when I got back and people kept bringing it up to thank me, the player explained. My only goal was to ensure Edouard Mendy remained in the best possible mental state. However, it would have been better if it never happened. While some see it as funny or part of the game’s folklore, it should never occur because my physical safety was actually threatened. »