Senegal’s dramatic Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) final victory over Morocco was remembered not only for a stunning extra-time winner, but also for a series of chaotic and controversial touchline incidents — including a bizarre battle over a towel that unexpectedly thrust reserve goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf into the spotlight.

Although Diouf did not play a single minute at the 2026 Afcon finals, the 26-year-old found himself performing an unusual but crucial role during Sunday’s final in Rabat: protecting the towel of Senegal’s first-choice goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy.

Torrential Conditions and a Tactical Towel Battle

The final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium was played in torrential rain, forcing Mendy — the former Chelsea and current Senegal number one — to regularly dry his gloves in order to maintain grip.

However, that simple routine became far more difficult due to repeated interference from the Moroccan ball boys and flag bearers, who were seen attempting to remove or discard Senegal’s towels from behind the goal.

The tactic was not new. Morocco had employed a similar approach during their semi-final victory over Nigeria, but it reached a new level of intensity during the final.

That is where Diouf stepped in.

Diouf’s Unlikely Role in Senegal’s Triumph

Stationed on the sidelines as an unused substitute, Diouf took it upon himself to ensure Mendy’s towel remained available throughout the match — even as attempts were made to remove it.

Television footage captured several extraordinary moments:

• Diouf being tackled to the ground by three ball boys
• The goalkeeper being dragged along the touchline
• Diouf sprinting away while clutching the towel to keep it out of reach

Later in the match, cameras appeared to show Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi tossing one of Senegal’s towels over an advertising board, further fuelling tensions during an already volatile final.

Despite the chaos, Senegal ultimately prevailed — and Diouf later chose to laugh about his unexpected contribution.

‘The Medal and the Towel’: Diouf’s Viral Post

Following Senegal’s triumph, Diouf took to Instagram to poke fun at the extraordinary lengths he went to in support of his team.

Posting a photo of his Afcon winners’ medal alongside the now-famous towel, Diouf captioned the image:

“There it is — the medal and the towel.”

The post, accompanied by a love-struck emoji and a crying-with-laughter emoji, quickly gained attention, with fans praising his commitment and sense of humour.

---

A Chaotic Afcon Final Marred by Controversy

While Diouf’s towel antics added a surreal element to the match, the final itself was packed with controversy and drama.

Senegal sealed victory thanks to a sensational individual goal from Pape Gueye in the fourth minute of extra time, securing their second Afcon title in five years.

However, the winning goal came only after an extraordinary series of events.

Senegal Temporarily Refuse to Play

In second-half stoppage time, Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw was left furious after:

• A Senegal goal was ruled out by referee Jean Jacques Ndala
• Morocco were awarded a controversial 98th-minute penalty

In protest, Senegal players — following instructions from the bench — temporarily refused to continue the match, causing a delay of 17 minutes.

Former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane remained on the pitch during the standoff and eventually played a key role in persuading his teammates to resume play.

Panenka Miss That Changed Everything

When play finally resumed, Morocco had a golden opportunity to win the Afcon title from the penalty spot.

But Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz, the tournament’s top scorer with five goals, produced a moment of disbelief — attempting an ill-timed Panenka penalty, which he failed to convert.

The miss proved costly. Senegal regrouped, forced extra time, and were ultimately rewarded with Gueye’s stunning match-winning goal.

---

Infantino Condemns ‘Ugly Scenes’

In the aftermath of the final, Fifa president Gianni Infantino publicly condemned the disorder surrounding the match.

Posting on Instagram, Infantino described the events as “ugly scenes” and criticised the behaviour that overshadowed what should have been a celebration of African football’s biggest stage.

Morocco, meanwhile, continue their long wait for Afcon glory, having not won the tournament since 1976.

---

From Unused Substitute to Cult Hero

Though Yehvann Diouf may not have stepped onto the pitch, his role in protecting Mendy’s towel has already become part of Afcon folklore.

In a final defined by controversy, tension, and drama, Diouf’s light-hearted response offered a rare moment of humour — and a reminder that sometimes footballing heroes are found far from the action.