Former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand has praised Senegal captain Sadio Mane for restoring calm during the chaotic Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final against Morocco, following the Teranga Lions’ dramatic walkout in protest at controversial officiating.
The final, played on Sunday, was thrown into disarray after a series of disputed decisions by Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ngambo. Senegal had a goal ruled out for a foul in the build-up, a call that prevented VAR from reviewing the incident and left the players convinced they had been wrongly denied.
Tensions escalated late in the match when West Ham United defender Malick Diouf was adjudged to have held Brahim Diaz during a Moroccan corner. Although play initially continued, the referee later consulted VAR after protests from the Atlas Lions and awarded a penalty.
Incensed by the decision, several Senegal players walked off the pitch, led by head coach Pape Thiaw. Mane, however, refused to follow, remaining on the field and urging his teammates to return and see out the match.
Speaking on the Rio Presents Podcast, Ferdinand admitted he had never witnessed such scenes in a final of that scale.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like this in football, certainly not in a game of that magnitude or size. It’s a final, the AFCON final,” he said.
“Everything was at risk, African football was at risk the moment the Senegal team went down that tunnel.
“Whether they were right or wrong in their belief, thought they were being cheated or whatever. To walk off the pitch based on the decision that was made didn’t look right.
“Sadio Mane saved African Football, not just Senegalese football. He brought his team out of the tunnel and said ‘listen guys, win or lose, you have to come out and play. The game, African football demands it.
“The gods were on their side after that, and then they managed to win the game. I like Sadio Mane, but what he did at the AFCON made me absolutely love him
“As a human and as a footballer. His actions on the pitch, knowing how difficult it was in the heat of the moment to remain calm and composed, did drag his team out again, knowing they could lose,
“That was real leadership, and that’s what real leaders do.”
Despite applauding Mane’s intervention, Ferdinand criticised what he described as unsporting tactics from the hosts, including incidents involving ball boys withholding towels from goalkeepers.
“The worst one was the ball boys trying to get the towels to stop the goalkeeper from drying his hands. That was insane. Someone has to get a hold of the Moroccan FA at some point. We need explanations,” he said.
“What right do they have to not let goalkeepers dry their hands? It’s a part of the game.”
In the aftermath of the incident, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), confirmed it has opened an investigation into the events at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah, describing the scenes as unacceptable and vowing to take appropriate action.
