AFCON Chaos: Sadio Mane's Senegal Players Walk Out in Protest Over Penalty Call vs Morocco

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The 2026 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final descended into chaos as Senegal's players staged a dramatic walkout in stoppage time, protesting a contentious penalty call that handed hosts Morocco a spot kick. The controversy began when referee Jean-Jacques Ndala pointed to the spot after Brahim Diaz went down in the box under pressure from West Ham defender El Hadji Malick Diouf. The decision sparked outrage from the Senegal camp, who were still seething from a disputed goal being ruled out moments earlier. Senegal's head coach, Pape Thiaw, instructed his players to leave the field in protest, with every player following orders except captain Sadio Mane, who was visibly embarrassed by the situation. Mane pleaded with his teammates to return, and after a 17-minute delay, Senegal emerged back onto the pitch, allowing the match to resume. The drama continued when Diaz stepped up to take the penalty, attempting an audacious Panenka that was easily denied by Edouard Mendy. The miss led to extra time, where Senegal seized their reprieve and took the lead through a powerful strike from Pape Gueye. The controversy has sparked confusion among fans, with some questioning the duration of extra time. While the exact circumstances of the match are unclear, one thing is certain: the AFCON final will be remembered for its dramatic and chaotic finale.