Achraf Hakimi has come under intense scrutiny and widespread criticism following a controversial incident involving Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy during the emotionally charged 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal. The match, held at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, was already filled with tension, contentious refereeing decisions, and moments of crowd unrest, making Hakimi’s actions a focal point for online debate.
Senegal eventually emerged victorious, winning 1-0 after extra time, but the match will be remembered not just for the final score but for the series of chaotic events that unfolded, including the widely discussed towel incident involving Hakimi and Mendy.
Towel incident draws criticism
Video clips that quickly circulated across social media platforms showed Morocco’s right-back, Achraf Hakimi, picking up Mendy’s towel during a stoppage in play and throwing it towards a nearby ball boy. Observers interpreted the action as an attempt to prevent the goalkeeper from having immediate access to the towel during a critical phase of the final, fueling accusations of unsportsmanlike conduct.
The towel, intended to allow Mendy to clean his face and wipe his gloves amid rainy conditions, became the center of heated debate among fans and pundits, many of whom questioned the sportsmanship of the Moroccan defender in such a high-stakes match.
The controversy gained further attention when fans drew comparisons to Morocco’s semi-final clash against Nigeria, where the Super Eagles’ goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, reportedly had his towel removed in similar circumstances. While the referees did not take any official action against Hakimi during the final, the episode has continued to fuel discussions online about fair play, gamesmanship, and the ethics of in-game tactics.
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Chaotic final context
The towel incident occurred amid a string of flashpoints in a final already fraught with drama. Earlier in the match, Senegal had a late goal disallowed due to a foul in the build-up involving Hakimi, a decision that drew immediate protest from the Teranga Lions. Morocco were later awarded a penalty deep into stoppage time following a VAR review, prompting Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw to instruct his players to briefly leave the pitch in protest, leading to a significant delay before play resumed.
During the penalty, Brahim Díaz attempted a panenka that was comfortably saved by Mendy, maintaining Senegal’s slim advantage. The Teranga Lions eventually capitalized in extra time, with Pape Gueye scoring the decisive goal just four minutes into the additional period, sealing Senegal’s second Africa Cup of Nations title in dramatic fashion.
Mixed fan reactions
The towel incident quickly became a talking point on social media, eliciting divided reactions from fans and football observers alike. On X, some users criticized Hakimi for what they saw as unsporting behavior. For instance, @PeakSxnti wrote: “Hakimi throwing Mendy’s towel to the ball boy to hide… this is a disgrace.”
Similarly, @mrboboskie commented: “That’s all wrong. Why will a player throw away another player’s towel?” expressing disapproval over the perceived disrespect.
However, not all fans condemned the Moroccan defender. Some offered more nuanced perspectives, suggesting that the act may have been innocuous or misinterpreted. @Ayantugajoshua wrote: “Maybe he just cleared the place, what was Hakimi going to gain from them cleaning the ball or not,” arguing that the incident might have had no strategic intent and was blown out of proportion by social media users.
Despite differing opinions, the towel incident remains one of the most talked-about moments of the AFCON 2025 final, highlighting the tensions, drama, and controversial moments that defined the match and will be remembered by fans for years to come.[/p>