Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy gave a firm answer when he was asked after the AFCON final whether Brahim Diaz purposely missed his crazy Panenka effort
Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has emphasised Brahim Diaz didn’t intentionally miss his controversial penalty for Morocco after trying a bold Panenka in the Africa Cup of Nations final.
Diaz’s lofted attempt was easily caught by Mendy, leading to criticism of the 26-year-old ex-Manchester City star. The penalty was given in the last minute of stoppage time after referee Jean-Jacques Ndala Ngambo consulted VAR and decided West Ham defender El Hadji Malick Diouf had fouled Real Madrid forward Diaz before clearing the ball from a corner.
The decision led to chaotic scenes at the AFCON final, with Senegal manager Pape Thiaw even pulling his team off the pitch in protest against what he saw as an unfair decision, which came shortly after a Senegal goal was harshly disallowed at the other end while the score was still 0-0.
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Following a lengthy delay of nearly 20 minutes, Diaz attempted a Panenka, but ended up lifting the ball directly into former Chelsea stopper Mendy’s hands, allowing the relieved Senegal keeper to make an easy catch.
The game then moved into extra time, where Senegal scored first just four minutes in. Pape Gueye delivered a brilliant finish to finally put Senegal 1-0 ahead – a goal that ultimately clinched their second AFCON title. Meanwhile, hosts Morocco fell short in their quest to win the tournament for the first time since 1976.
Following the match, Mendy was questioned about whether Diaz had intentionally fluffed his penalty attempt amid all the chaotic scenes. “No, of course not. We have to be serious,” the Senegal goalkeeper responded.
“Do you really think that one minute left and a country that has been waiting 50 years for a title, we can reach an agreement? He wanted to score and I deserve credit for stopping him – that’s all.”
When pressed about his exchange with Diaz prior to the spot-kick, Mendy replied: “What did we say to each other? That’s between us. We did it together and we came back together, that’s all that matters. We can be proud tonight.”
Furious Morocco boss Walid Regragui commented: “He had a lot of time before taking the penalty which must have disturbed him. But we can’t change what happened. That is how he chose to take the penalty. We need to look forwards now.”
Once the official had reviewed the VAR replay and signalled for the penalty, every Senegal player bar former Liverpool star Sadio Mane, alongside the coaching team, left the pitch and marched down the tunnel following orders from boss Thiaw.
Simultaneously, several Senegal fans invaded the field, prompting security personnel to step in.
Mane, desperate to prevent the mayhem from continuing, raced down the tunnel and successfully persuaded his teammates to return to the pitch.
His intervention proved crucial in the end, as it allowed Senegal to claim victory in what became a truly memorable final.