As the highly anticipated match between OM and Nice approaches this Sunday evening, Senegalese goalkeeper Yéhvann Diouf shared his thoughts on his eventful season with L’Équipe. Despite spending time on the bench at times, the international defender experienced a rollercoaster of emotions, culminating in the dramatic Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco.
«The match was insane,» Diouf admitted, reflecting on the game. «Like so many others, I would have preferred a different outcome—not just the victory, but the entire context. Too many issues overshadowed the tournament: federation decisions, the CAN itself, and the broader continental image.»
Three months after Senegal’s CAN final triumph over Morocco, Yéhvann Diouf opens up about his journey and the incident that unfolded after the whistle.
Diouf focuses solely on the Lions of Teranga’s hard-fought victory on the pitch, highlighted by Pape Gueye’s decisive extra-time goal (1-0). However, he sidesteps the controversial aftermath, including the CAF’s decision to award Morocco a forfeited win (a decision now under review by the Court of Arbitration for Sport).
Senegal vs Morocco: the off-field incident that shouldn’t have happened
As a member of the Nice squad, Diouf witnessed firsthand an unusual and widely discussed moment—the infamous towel incident. He played a key role in protecting the Moroccan team’s towel, which later sparked debates across the football community.
«It hit me when we returned to the locker room,» Diouf explained. «Fans kept mentioning it, thanking me. All I can say is, if this gesture helped Édouard Mendy perform at his best, that’s great. But ideally, it shouldn’t have happened. Yes, it adds a bit of color to the story, but most importantly, my safety was compromised.»