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News • April 12, 2026 • 2 min read

Mendy: 'Morocco's Title Came Out of Nowhere... We Initially Thought It Was an April Fool's Joke'

Le Maroc 360
Le Maroc 360 Staff Writer
Mendy: 'Morocco's Title Came Out of Nowhere... We Initially Thought It Was an April Fool's Joke'

Mendy's Outrage Over Morocco's Title Controversy

Edouard Mendy, the Senegalese goalkeeper currently playing for Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia, has expressed his profound anger regarding the controversial decision to strip his national team of the Africa Cup of Nations title in favor of Morocco. Mendy's frustration is rooted in the fact that Senegal had originally triumphed in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations by defeating Morocco 1-0 in a tightly contested final. However, ensuing incidents during the match, particularly a brief walkout by the Senegalese players protesting a penalty awarded to Morocco, led the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to make a shocking ruling in March, resulting in the title being rescinded from Senegal and awarded to Morocco instead.

The Unprecedented Incident

Mendy recounted the unusual circumstances surrounding the final during a recent interview on "The Mo Show" podcast. He described the experience as unprecedented, stating, "What happened against Morocco was an exceptional situation for me, as it was the first time I had ever encountered anything like this." He went on to elaborate that, during the match, a player from the opposing team had taken his towel from the sidelines in a manner he had never experienced before in any game, let alone a final. The incident has not only sparked discussions about sportsmanship but also about the integrity of officiating in high-stakes matches.

Mendy's remarks highlight the emotional turmoil faced by athletes when significant changes are made to the outcomes of competitions they have fought hard to win. This situation has undoubtedly left a mark on the Senegalese team and its supporters, who are grappling with the implications of this controversial decision.

As reported by goal.com.

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Le Maroc 360
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Le Maroc 360

Journalist and contributing editor at Lemaroc360 covering breaking news, Moroccan society, and international developments.