Former Nigeria international Odion Ighalo has praised Sadio Mané for his conduct during the controversial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, describing the forward’s actions as vital in preserving the integrity of the game.
The final, played at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, initially saw Senegal secure a 1-0 victory over hosts Morocco.
However, the match became overshadowed by controversy after Senegal’s players temporarily walked off the pitch in protest over a series of refereeing decisions.
The incident led to a lengthy delay before the conclusion of the match, with tensions running high among both players and officials.
During this period, Mané was seen urging his teammates to return to the field and complete the game.
Although Senegal eventually resumed play and held on for the win, the Confederation of African Football later ruled that the team had forfeited the match due to their actions.
The title was subsequently awarded to Morocco months after the final had been played.
Reflecting on the incident, Ighalo expressed his disappointment with Senegal’s initial decision to leave the pitch, while commending Mané for stepping in to de-escalate the situation.
“The referee in that game [Morocco vs. Senegal] was a bit biased, but that is football, you understand how it goes,” Ighalo told Brila FM.
“When Senegal walked off the pitch, I wasn’t happy about it. I even said then that Sadio Mané saved African football by convincing his teammates to return and finish the match.
“They came back, they played, and they won it on the pitch. I believe if CAF wanted to take action, they should have stopped the game right then and there to make a decision.
“Instead, they let Senegal win. Now, months later, they want to take the trophy away.
“While the rules of the game are the rules and you have to abide by them, I don’t understand how they arrived at this. It is not a good look for African football.
“This AFCON took us ten steps forward, but this decision drags us five steps backward. It has given people leverage to start disparaging African football again.”
Ighalo’s comments highlight the wider debate sparked by the Confederation of African Football’s handling of the incident.
While rules regarding match forfeiture are clearly defined, the timing and manner of the decision have drawn criticism from various quarters within the football community.
