‘They enjoyed taking towels from Nigeria GK’ – How Nwabali ordeal helped Senegal outwit Morocco

Senegal were crowned champions of Africa on Sunday night after edging hosts Morocco 1-0 in a tense Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat,.Soccernet.ng reports.

But the decisive moment of the contest did not only come from Pape Gueye’s extra-time winner.

Behind the scenes, a curious subplot involving towels, ball boys and goalkeepers played an unlikely role in shaping the outcome.

Gueye struck four minutes into extra time to settle a tight contest, while Édouard Mendy’s composure and authority between the posts ensured Senegal kept a clean sheet on one of the biggest nights in their history.

Yet, as Senegal celebrated only their second AFCON title, it was revelations from backup goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf that offered a fascinating insight into how detailed preparation, and lessons drawn from Nigeria’s experience, helped tip the balance.

Diouf, who spent much of the final stationed near Mendy’s goal, was tasked with a simple but vital job: keep his teammate’s gloves dry as rain began to fall. What followed turned into one of the most talked-about moments of the night, with footage showing Diouf desperately protecting a towel from ball boys and even Moroccan players, including Achraf Hakimi.

They wanted to take Mendy’s towels like they did to Nwabali.

I have never seen this kind of thing in my life. Is this a local tournament?

Why are ball boys taking goalkeeper’s towels?

They cannot be doing this if not instructed. Morocco were doing every thing, every gimmick… https://t.co/1oQC1vlWhT pic.twitter.com/fnuHN8VpBv

— TobyWrites (@tobyasky) January 18, 2026

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Senegal picked lessons from Nwabali’s ordeal

According to Diouf, Senegal had anticipated exactly this kind of disruption after watching Morocco’s semi-final against Nigeria, where Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was repeatedly denied his towels in chaotic circumstances.

“We had already seen in the previous match how they enjoyed taking the towels from the Nigerian goalkeeper (Nwabali),” Diouf told BeInSports.

“We don’t know why. They did it during regular time and eventually managed to take it. Then, in extra time, when it really started raining, Mory Diaw went to bring towels to Édouard, and by the time I returned, they had already taken them.”

During Morocco vs. Nigeria, Nwabali had his towels repeatedly taken by ball boys and stewards, stopping him from drying his gloves.

Moroccan players even tried the same with Édouard Mendy, but Senegal’s players shut it down.

After the final, Nwabali had the last laugh 😅 pic.twitter.com/FcdA4wCCqx

— ESPN Africa (@ESPNAfrica) January 19, 2026

Nigeria eventually lost that semi-final on penalties after Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi missed from the spot, but Senegal took careful note of what had unfolded.

“When I arrived, they did exactly the same thing,” Diouf explained.

“A Moroccan player ran after me trying to grab it, and then the ball boys and some official also got involved. I did all of this to make sure Édouard was in the best possible condition, because we needed a top goalkeeper to win the final.”

At one point, the situation became almost farcical.

“I almost went onto the field by myself, thinking the referee would stop the game. But no, I found myself on the ground, in the penalty area. I realized I was more of a hindrance than anything else, so I got up and moved elsewhere. It was surreal.”

In the end, Mendy stayed focused, Senegal held firm, and a lesson first taught by Nwabali’s frustration helped deliver continental glory.