Edouard Mendy has reignited the controversy surrounding the Africa Cup of Nations final between Senegal and Morocco after speaking publicly about the decisive moments of the match and insisting that Senegal’s victory cannot be changed.
The Senegal goalkeeper, who recently announced his retirement from international football, discussed the final in a lengthy interview with The Guardian, recalling the penalty awarded to Morocco and his save from Brahim Diaz in the closing stages.
Mendy explained how he anticipated Diaz’s attempt, saying: “I realized it two steps before he shot. Usually when a player takes a Panenka-style kick, he slows down at the last moment, but I noticed that he did it early,” adding: “I knew that his preferred angle was the right, but when I saw him slow down a long time before, I stood my ground and managed to catch the ball.”
The goalkeeper also addressed the controversy surrounding the final and the decision by Senegal’s players to leave the pitch before the match resumed.
Mendy said: “The only thing we must remember is that the match reached its end. It is true that we left the field, but the match resumed.”
He added: “For me there is no problem because the final is complete, we were awarded the cup and we celebrated it in our country. That’s all there is to it. When you talk to me about the Africa Cup of Nations, I simply say: Yes, we have won it twice. This is not to belittle the Moroccan people or anyone else, it is just our feeling… You cannot change something that has already been decided.”
His comments have again brought attention to the events surrounding the final, which included a stoppage in play and protests before the match eventually resumed.
Mendy also made a striking comparison between his Africa Cup of Nations success and his achievements at club level.
“Winning the Africa Cup of Nations was the best moment in my football career. It was 10 times better than the Champions League. I can compare now because I also won the AFC Champions League twice.”
The goalkeeper, who won the European title with Chelsea and was named the best goalkeeper in 2021, added: “Winning with your club is truly amazing, but you can’t compare it to winning for your country, especially when they have never won anything before,” referring to Senegal’s first Africa Cup of Nations triumph in 2021 in Cameroon, when they defeated Egypt on penalties.
The interview comes shortly after Mendy confirmed his decision to end his international career. The goalkeeper reportedly remained committed to the decision even after receiving a phone call from new Senegal coach Patrick Vieira, who attempted to persuade him to continue representing the national team.
Mendy ultimately ended his international career after 59 appearances.
His latest remarks have once again placed him at the centre of discussion among Moroccan and African football supporters. While some view his comments as provocative, others regard them as his personal account of a final in which he played a decisive role.
The dispute surrounding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final remains unresolved, with the case awaiting a final legal decision from the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
For Mendy, however, his international career is now over, leaving behind two Africa Cup of Nations triumphs and a final that continues to generate debate long after the final whistle.
