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Édouard Mendy on Senegal’s AFCON Finale, Retirement and New Chapter
By Drooid · · How we work
AFCON Final Controversy and Senegal’s Claim
In the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat, Senegal faced Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations final. After a 17-minute stoppage caused by a protest over a penalty awarded to Morocco’s El Hadji Malick Diouf, Senegal’s goalkeeper Édouard Mendy received a yellow card. The match proceeded to a penalty shoot-out, during which Mendy saved a spot-kick from Real Madrid’s Brahim Díaz. Senegal appeared to have secured a second title within four years. However, the Confederation of African Football later ruled that Senegal had forfeited the final for leaving the pitch, awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory. A preliminary hearing on Senegal’s appeal is scheduled at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland next month.
Mendy’s Perspective on the Match
Mendy emphasized his focus amid the chaos, recalling the penalty situation: “I realised two steps before he shot … usually when a player does a Panenka they slow down for the last step, but I noticed he did it early,” — Mendy . He later reflected on the disputed ending, stating: “The only thing we have to remember is that the game went to the end. We went off the pitch but the game restarted,” — Mendy . The goalkeeper stressed that, for him, the victory remains valid despite the legal ruling.
Recent Career Milestones and International Retirement
Following the AFCON episode, Mendy added an Asian Champions League title with Al-Ahli and suffered a knee injury that ended Senegal’s World Cup hopes. At 34, he announced his retirement from international football, declining a call-up from new Senegal manager Patrick Vieira. Mendy expressed admiration for Vieira: “He [Vieira] is a legend so to have the chance to work with him was really something that came into my mind,” — Mendy . He highlighted his role in inspiring Senegalese goalkeepers and supporting community projects in Keur Massar, including a school expansion and an entrepreneurship scheme.
Official Responses and Future Outlook
Senegal’s football federation maintains that the match was completed and the trophy was rightfully awarded, a view echoed by Mendy’s own statements. The upcoming arbitration hearing will determine whether the CAF ruling stands, leaving the final status of the 2026 AFCON title unresolved.