AFCON 2025 final: Towel controversy, Ismael Saibari apologizes to Mendy | OneFootball

Ismael Saibari - Edouard Mendy

The towel clash: the other controversy of the AFCON 2025 final. Ismael Saibari has finally apologized to Senegal’s goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy.

At the end of this AFCON 2025 final, which saw Senegal defeat Morocco (1-0 after extra time), Ismael Saibari made a conciliatory gesture. According to footage shared by several Senegalese media outlets, the Moroccan midfielder visited the hotel where the Senegalese squad was staying to meet Edouard Mendy. The goal: to clear the air and offer his apologies following the heated towel incident.

Ball boys and several Moroccan players, including Achraf Hakimi and Ismael Saibari, were involved in attempts to confiscate the towels, leading to surreal scenes on the pitch. Yehvann Diouf even had to stand behind the goal to protect the towels.

The meeting between Saibari and Mendy at the hotel was not made public, but a video shows the two men sharing a long handshake—a welcome sign of reconciliation after a final that will be remembered for its many dramatic incidents.