AFCON 2025 final: Hatem Ben Arfa applauds Pape Thiaw's conduct

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·20 de janeiro de 2026

AFCON 2025 final: Hatem Ben Arfa applauds Pape Thiaw's conduct

Hatem Ben Arfa

Former French international Hatem Ben Arfa has thrown his full support behind Pape Thiaw following the AFCON 2025 final between Senegal and Morocco.

Vídeos OneFootball

Last Sunday, Senegal clinched the AFCON 2025 title against Morocco (1-0) at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. It was a truly dramatic final for the Moroccans. With the match still goalless in the dying seconds, Morocco was awarded a penalty, but Brahim Diaz failed to convert. Minutes later, Pape Gueye struck the decisive goal in extra time.

While Senegal has faced heavy criticism since Sunday night, Hatem Ben Arfa posted on his social media: "National hero Pape Thiaw. I want to see his statue in Dakar. We love you, Senegal." A statement sure to sting Moroccan fans even more.

🚨 Hatem Ben Arfa 🗣️ : « 𝗛𝗘́𝗥𝗢𝗦 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗣𝗔𝗣𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗔𝗪, 𝗝𝗘 𝗩𝗢𝗨𝗗𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗦 𝗩𝗢𝗜𝗥 𝗦𝗔 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗘 𝗔̀ 𝗗𝗔𝗞𝗔𝗥. 𝗢𝗡 𝗩𝗢𝗨𝗦 𝗔𝗜𝗠𝗘 𝗟𝗘 𝗦𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗚𝗔𝗟. 🇸🇳 » (IG)
– terça-feira, 20 de janeiro de 2026