Former England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has lauded Senegal captain Sadio Mane for his leadership during the turbulent Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 final against Morocco, following the Teranga Lions’ dramatic walkout over contentious officiating.
The match, held on Sunday, descended into chaos after several disputed calls by Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ngambo. Senegal saw a goal ruled out for a foul in the buildup, a decision that blocked VAR review and left the players convinced they had been unfairly denied.
Tensions intensified late in the game when Malick Diouf, West Ham United defender, was penalised for holding Morocco’s Brahim Diaz during a corner. The referee initially allowed play to continue but later awarded a penalty after VAR consultation, prompting several Senegal players, led by head coach Pape Thiaw, to walk off in protest.
Mane, however, remained on the pitch, urging his teammates to return and finish the game. Speaking on the Rio Presents Podcast, Ferdinand expressed astonishment at the scene.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like this in football, certainly not in a game of this magnitude, a final, the AFCON final,” Ferdinand said.
“Everything was at risk, African football was at risk the moment Senegal went down that tunnel. Whether they felt right or wronged, walking off 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 play. The game, African football, demands it.’
“The gods were on their side after that, and they went on to win. What Mane did at the AFCON made me absolutely love him—not just as a player, but as a human. His calmness under pressure, dragging his team back knowing they could lose—that was real leadership.”**
While praising Mane’s intervention, Ferdinand criticised unsporting conduct from the hosts, including incidents with ball boys deliberately withholding towels from goalkeepers.
“The worst was the ball boys trying to stop goalkeepers from drying their hands. That’s insane. Someone has to hold the Moroccan FA accountable. What right do they have to interfere like that? It’s part of the game,” he said.
Following the controversial events at Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed it has launched an investigation into the incidents, describing them as unacceptable and promising appropriate action.
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