Pape Gueye explains Senegal's exit after controversial penalty in the 2025 AFCON final

Pape Gueye looks back on the controversy surrounding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final on 18 January 2026. The Senegalese midfielder discussed the Lions of Teranga's decision to temporarily leave the pitch after Morocco was awarded a controversial penalty, just minutes after Senegal had a goal disallowed.

For the Senegalese international, this decision was a human reaction. ‘Do we regret leaving the pitch? We're human, we can make mistakes. We acknowledged that and came back onto the pitch. We have to focus on the positives: it was a well-organised competition by Morocco,’ said Pape Gueye on TF1's Téléfoot programme.

The 27-year-old also discussed Brahim Diaz's failed Panenka in the final. The Senegalese player said that if he had been in the Moroccan's place, he would not have done it. ‘Brahim's Panenka? I wouldn't have done it, it's a risk I wouldn't have taken. But if he had scored, I think he would be up there with Zidane.’