AFCON 2025: Pape Gueye reflects on the final and Ibrahim Díaz's missed penalty | OneFootball

Pape Gueye discusses Senegal's protest and Morocco's penalty

Pape Gueye / @x.com

A week after helping Senegal clinch the Africa Cup of Nations title against Morocco, Pape Gueye has shared fresh insights with the media, revisiting the most controversial moments of the final.

The closing stages of the match were fraught with tension when the referee consulted VAR and awarded a penalty to Morocco. This decision sparked outrage among the Senegalese players, who briefly walked off the pitch, causing the match to be halted.

Captain Sadio Mané stepped in to calm his teammates and persuaded them to return to play. However, Ibrahim Diaz failed to convert the penalty, his Panenka-style effort being denied by Senegalese goalkeeper Édouard Mendy. The match went into extra time, where Pape Gueye made the difference by scoring the decisive goal, sealing Senegal's second continental crown.

Gueye speaks out on the protest, Díaz's penalty, and Senegal's global ambitions

In an interview with French channel Téléfoot, Pape Gueye revisited the protest episode, stating:

"We’re only human, and it’s normal to make mistakes. We realized that quickly and got back on the pitch. The most important thing is to focus on the positives, especially as Morocco organized a fantastic tournament."

Asked about Ibrahim Diaz’s Panenka-style penalty attempt, the Senegalese midfielder joked:

"The Panenka? That’s bold. I wouldn’t have tried it. But if he scores, I think he’s right behind Zidane. But it’s risky, it’s a gutsy move."

Pape Gueye also expressed his belief that the Lions of Teranga are capable of competing with the world’s elite, especially with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, insisting that Senegal has what it takes to challenge teams like France.

"I think we can go toe-to-toe with the best teams in the world. It’ll be a great match, they have tons of talent, but so do we."

He concluded by affirming that Senegal will approach their upcoming challenges with total confidence and without any inferiority complex.

It’s worth noting that the CAF technical commission named Pape Gueye Man of the Match for the final, rewarding his decisive performance and title-winning goal.