Senegal Star Gana Gueye Breaks Silence on AFCON 2025 Final Walkout Incident
Senegal midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye has provided detailed insights into the dramatic events that unfolded during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco, revealing that the Teranga Lions had anticipated and prepared for such scenarios well in advance.
The Controversial Walkout and Mane's Intervention
The January 18 final took an unprecedented turn when Senegalese head coach Pape Thiaw ordered his players off the pitch in protest of referee Jean-Jacques Ndala's decisions. The Congolese official had awarded a penalty to Morocco minutes after disallowing a Senegal goal, triggering the walkout that threatened to derail the championship match.
Captain for the night, Gana Gueye, explained that it took the intervention of veteran forward Sadio Mane to convince the team to return to the field. "We knew this match wouldn't be easy; we knew it would be tense. But we were prepared for every scenario," Gueye told Onze Mundial in an exclusive interview.
Senegal's Psychological Preparation Revealed
The Everton midfielder disclosed that Senegal's technical staff and players had engaged in extensive psychological preparation before the final, anticipating potential controversies and hostile conditions. "We were unshakeable. Our focus was at 200%. Whatever happened, nothing could affect us, neither emotionally nor mentally," he emphasized.
Gueye shared a particularly striking example of their mental fortitude: "We even told ourselves: 'If they put us in a trash bin, we'll sleep in the trash bin and keep quiet.'" This statement underscores the extreme level of preparation the Senegalese squad underwent for what they expected to be a challenging final environment.
Downplaying Diplomatic Tensions
Despite the dramatic events and subsequent sanctions from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Gueye sought to minimize the incident's impact on relations between the two nations. "Everything that happened before the final was completely normal. We expected it. Afterwards, people made too much of it," he stated.
The midfielder emphasized the longstanding friendship between Senegal and Morocco: "Before this final, even before the AFCON, everyone knew about the good relationship between Moroccans and Senegalese. This strong bond has lasted for years, and we shouldn't ruin it. We're friends, we're brothers."
Aftermath and Ongoing Developments
The match concluded with Pape Gueye scoring the winning goal in the fourth minute of extra time, securing Senegal's second AFCON trophy after Brahim Diaz missed the controversial penalty for Morocco. However, the incident's repercussions continue to unfold.
CAF launched a thorough investigation that resulted in significant sanctions for both countries' football federations and several players. Additionally, some Senegalese fans remain detained in Morocco after attempting to invade the pitch during the final, with both nations employing diplomatic channels to resolve the situation without escalation.
Gueye acknowledged the ongoing consequences while maintaining that the team's actions were necessary: "We acted to protect ourselves against injustice during the match." His comments provide crucial context to understanding the strategic decisions made during one of African football's most controversial finals in recent memory.
