The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially suspended Senegal’s head coach, Pape Thiaw, following a disciplinary review of the chaotic events during Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final. Senegal secured their second continental title after a 1-0 extra-time victory over hosts Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
However, the triumph remains overshadowed by Thiaw’s decision to order a mid-game walk-off, an act CAF cited as a serious breach of conduct that undermined the tournament’s integrity.
The controversy began deep into second-half stoppage time when referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a late penalty following a VAR review. Incensed by the decision—which came shortly after Senegal had a goal disallowed—Coach Thiaw instructed his squad to abandon the pitch.
The high-profile final faced a potential forfeiture and a nearly 20-minute delay until captain Sadio Mane intervened. Mane successfully persuaded his teammates to leave the dressing room and return to the field, ensuring the match reached its conclusion.
While Senegal eventually won through Pape Gueye’s clinical extra-time strike, the governing body moved swiftly to impose sanctions on the technical staff. CAF’s disciplinary committee emphasized that such protests are unacceptable in professional football, regardless of officiating disputes.
Thiaw later expressed regret for his actions, acknowledging that his emotions overwhelmed him in the heat of the moment. The suspension highlights CAF’s commitment to maintaining strict disciplinary standards as the continent prepares for future global competitions.
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