The Africa Cup of Nations 2026 final between Senegal and Morocco delivered far more than football drama.

It produced moments of superstition, prayer, and surreal sideline action that captured fans’ imaginations across Africa.

Senegal’s goalkeeper Édouard Mendy revealed the bizarre difficulties he faced during the match.

The rain‑soaked pitch forced him to use towels to dry his gloves, but according to Mendy, the towels were repeatedly removed:

“I placed my towel next to the goal to dry my gloves from the rain, but it was removed five times. I used another one, and that too was taken away,” he said.

“It is unfortunate that in 2026 some people still believe that witchcraft controls the outcome of matches. I believe that everything is in God’s hands — He controls everything.
And when the penalty was taken, I recited the Qur’an and sought help from God. I saved it, looked up to the sky, and said: ‘This is by Your grace, O Allah.’”

The incident prompted Senegal’s second goalkeeper, Yehvann Diouf, to intervene in an almost comical battle behind the goal.

Video footage shows Diouf wrestling with Moroccan ball boys who tried to remove the towels, even dragging him across the pitch at one point.

He lay on the ground shielding the towel with his body, while stadium officials and players occasionally intervened.

Afterwards, Diouf shared a social media post jokingly captioned: “There it is — the medal and the towel.”
“The medal and the towel survived,” Diouf quipped, referencing the chaotic scene that briefly overshadowed the game.

While Senegal celebrated victory, the tournament also saw bizarre reactions in Mali.

A self‑styled witchdoctor, who claimed he could influence match outcomes, was arrested after Mali’s elimination.

Reports say his followers had paid him thousands of Euros for his “spiritual services,” only to be disappointed by the team’s exit.

His house was reportedly attacked by irate fans, and authorities intervened to arrest him for alleged fraud and charlatanism.

Senegal emerged 1‑0 victors over Morocco, with the winning goal in extra time sealing their AFCON 2026 crown, a victory marked as much by heroic saves and dramatic sideline antics as by the team’s on‑pitch performance.