In an extraordinary twist to Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations triumph, reserve goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf has emerged as an unexpected hero for his unconventional role as towel protector during Sunday’s rain-soaked final against Morocco. The 26-year-old shot-stopper, who remained an unused substitute throughout the tournament, found himself at the center of a bizarre tactical battle that unfolded alongside the dramatic football action.
The final at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium descended into chaos as torrential conditions created unprecedented challenges. Starting goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, the former Chelsea star, required frequent drying of his gloves to maintain grip—a necessity that Morocco’s staff repeatedly attempted to disrupt by discarding the crucial towel. This tactic, previously observed during Morocco’s semi-final victory against Nigeria, prompted Diouf to assume his impromptu defensive duties.
Throughout the 120-minute spectacle, Diouf engaged in physical confrontations with ball attendants and flag bearers determined to remove the drying implement. Video evidence captures the Senegal keeper being tackled to the ground by three ball boys and dragged across the wet surface before eventually scrambling away to protect his precious cargo. The situation escalated when Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi was filmed tossing one of Senegal’s towels over an advertising board.
The match itself reached unprecedented levels of controversy when Senegal temporarily refused to continue playing after a disputed disallowed goal and subsequent penalty award to Morocco in second-half stoppage time. Following a 17-minute delay during which Sadio Mané successfully persuaded his teammates to return, Real Madrid forward Brahim Díaz—the tournament’s leading scorer—missed a critical Panenka-style penalty that would ultimately prove decisive.
Pape Gueye secured Senegal’s second continental title in five years with a spectacular extra-time winner in the 124th minute, but post-match attention has focused equally on the unusual sidelines drama. Diouf humorously acknowledged his peculiar contribution via Instagram, posting images of both his winner’s medal and the now-famous towel accompanied by love-struck and crying-laughing emojis with the caption: ‘There it is – the medal and the towel.’
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has since condemned the ‘ugly scenes’ that marred the final, while football commentators worldwide have debated the ethics of Morocco’s towel-disruption tactics and the overall conduct surrounding the championship decider.