Fresh controversy has erupted after Senegal’s 1–0 victory over Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations final, with a Moroccan politician claiming that Senegalese players may have practiced “magic” in their dressing room before Brahim Diaz’s decisive penalty. The politician also criticized the referee for restarting play after Senegal briefly left the pitch, arguing that the officiating affected the outcome of the match. His remarks have sparked heated debate across social media and football circles.
The politician condemned the referee’s handling of the game, calling for suspension and possible trial. He argued that the official violated competition rules by resuming play after Senegalese players walked off the field in protest over a late penalty decision. According to him, this “affected the flow and outcome of the match,” raising concerns over fairness in the tournament’s climax.
Despite the controversy, Senegal secured the African champion title, with Pape Gueye scoring the winning goal in extra time. The victory marks Senegal’s second AFCON triumph and capped a tournament where the team showed remarkable resilience.
The politician’s claims did not stop at officiating. He alleged that Senegal’s team performed “magic” in their dressing room moments before Diaz took his penalty, an assertion that has sparked ridicule and criticism from fans and pundits alike. Social media has been flooded with reactions, with many questioning the credibility of the claim, while others defend the politician’s right to express his views.
Football analysts note that such comments, while sensational, do little to change the fact that Senegal outperformed Morocco in both strategy and composure under pressure. “Senegal deserved the win,” one analyst tweeted, “magic or not.”