Former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand has aired his opinion about Senegal’s decision to walk out in the AFCON 2025 final against Morocco, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 47-year-old backed the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the semi-final clash against the host nation, but Eric Chelle’s men lost on penalties.
However, the inconsistency in the officiating in the final forced the Senegal players to walk off the pitch on Sunday.
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Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ngambo cancelled out Senegal’s goal, citing a foul in the build-up instead of allowing play to continue. As such, the VAR couldn’t intervene, and the Teranga Lions felt they were denied a clear goal.
The game descended into chaos in the 90th minute after West Ham left back Malick Diouf held Brahim Diaz when a Moroccan corner kick went in, and the Real Madrid winger fell.
The referee initially ignored play, but upon further pressing from the Atlas Lions, consulted the VAR before pointing to the spot.
The Senegal players felt the call was unfair and opted to walk off the pitch, heralded by their coach, Pape Thiaw, while Captain Sadio Mane stayed on the pitch.
Rio Ferdinand weighs in on Senegal’s staged walkout at the AFCON final
The former Manchester United captain recognised the faults in officiating, but lauded Sadio Mane for calling his teammates onto the pitch, claiming he saved the face of African football from what could have been a derailing story after a brilliant AFCON tournament.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like this in football, certainly not in a game of that magnitude or size. It’s a final, the AFCON final,” on the Rio Presents Podcast.
“Everything was at risk, African football was at risk the moment the Senegal team went down that tunnel.
“Whether they were right or wrong in their belief, thought they were being cheated or whatever. To walk off the pitch based on the decision that was made didn’t look right.
“Sadio Mane saved African Football, not just Senegalese football. He brought his team out of the tunnel and said ‘listen guys, win or lose, you have to come out and play. The game, African football demands it.
“The gods were on their side after that,, and then they managed to win the game. I like Sadio Mane, but what he did at the AFCON made me absolutely love him
“As a human and as a footballer. His actions on the pitch, knowing how difficult it was in the heat of the moment to remain calm and composed, did drag his team out again, knowing they could lose,
“That was real leadership, and that’s what real leaders do,” the 47-year-old said, lauding the former Liverpool winger.
Still, Ferdinand had a bone to pick with the mind games the Moroccans employed against Senegal and Nigeria, forcing the goalkeepers to do without their towels.
“The worst one was the ball boys trying to get the towels to stop the goalkeeper from drying his hands. That was insane. Someone has to get a hold of the Moroccan FA at some point. We need explanations.
“What right do they have to not let goalkeepers dry their hands? It’s a part of the game,” the former West Ham United centre-back concluded.
The Senegalese player didn’t allow the ball boys & officials to take Mendy’s 3rd towel like Nwabali.
They matched their madness 🔥#AFCON2025WithPooja pic.twitter.com/Lew9oMRazf
— POOJA!!! (@PoojaMedia) January 18, 2026
CAF have begun investigations over the chaos that ensued at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah, condemning the act in an official statement.