Senegal's AFCON 2025 match-winner Pep Gueye has admitted that the Teranga Lions made a mistake by going off the field during the final against Morocco.
Speaking on French program Telefoot on Sunday, January 25, the 26-year-old midfielder reflected on the chaotic scenes in Rabat, which saw Senegal temporarily leave the field in protest of a 98th-minute penalty awarded to the hosts.
Also read: Gueye brace sends Senegal into AFCON 2025 quarter-finals
Gueye scored the decisive goal in extra time as Senegal defeated Morocco 1–0 in a dramatic and bad-tempered final to win their second Africa Cup of Nations title.
The match was marred in controversy when Morocco were awarded a late penalty, leading to Senegal's players being sent off from the match and a delay of approximately 20 minutes. When play eventually restarted, Brahim Diaz missed the spot kick, before Gueye hit the winner in extra time.
Also read: Senegal went into protest, then came back to beat Morocco and win AFCON 2025 title
“We are only human. We realized our mistake and came back,” Guay said. “Anyone can make mistakes.”
The Villarreal midfielder praised former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane, who stayed on the pitch during the stalemate and convinced his teammates to return so a penalty could be taken.
“He found the right thing to say at the right time and that shows how important he is to us,” Gueye said. “We thank them very much.”
Senegal's frustration had increased moments earlier when a goal was disallowed for a light foul, adding to the tension in normal time.
