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Newly surfaced footage from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final has revealed a previously unseen exchange between match officials and Senegal captain Sadio Mané following the dramatic victory over Morocco.

The video, which emerged after the tournament, provides fresh insight into one of the most controversial and emotionally charged finals in recent AFCON history. Senegal went on to claim their second continental title, but the closing stages of the match at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat on Sunday, January 18, 2026, were marked by confusion, anger and prolonged stoppages.

Chaos in the AFCON final

The match descended into turmoil deep into added time. Congolese referee Jean Jacques Ndala disallowed a 92nd-minute goal by Ismaila Sarr before awarding Morocco a penalty five minutes later. The decisions sparked outrage among Senegal’s players and coaching staff.

In protest, head coach Pape Thiaw instructed his players to walk off the pitch, a move that halted play for nearly 17 minutes as tensions escalated and fears of a potential boycott grew.

Order was eventually restored when Mané intervened, urging his teammates to return to the field and complete the match. His leadership proved decisive. Moments later, Morocco’s Brahim Díaz missed the penalty, and Pape Gueye scored in the fourth minute of extra time to seal a dramatic victory for the Teranga Lions.

What referees said to Mané

Footage later broadcast by beIN Sports captured a remarkable post-match conversation between Mané and the officiating team. The officials openly praised the Senegal star for his calm and decisive leadership during the crisis.

Fourth official Abongile Tom was heard saying:

“You were the only one who told the others to come back. I said he was the only one who acted — the only one.”

Referee Jean Jacques Ndala added:

“How did you do that? You are a true leader!”

VAR assistant Letticia Viana also expressed her appreciation, saying:

“That was incredible, thank you so much. As I told you last time, thank you for what you did.”

CAF later cited Mané’s conduct as a key reason behind his selection as Player of the Tournament, highlighting his role in preserving the integrity of the match.

Mané explains his actions

Speaking after the final, Mané explained that his decision to intervene was driven by a desire to protect the image of football on the global stage.

“Football is something special, and the world is watching,” he said. “The world loves football. It should be a pleasure. Football should not stop for 10 minutes, but sometimes these things happen. We have to accept it and deal with it. I believed good things would happen if we came back and played, and that’s what happened.”

Ongoing scrutiny

As debates continue and petitions circulate, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is expected to further investigate the events surrounding the final. The dramatic night in Rabat remains under intense scrutiny, even as Senegal celebrate a historic triumph led by Mané’s composure and leadership.