19.01.2026 11:40
In the Africa Cup of Nations final, Senegal's backup goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf influenced the course of the match despite not stepping onto the field at all. By holding onto Edouard Mendy's towel throughout the match and handing it to him, he became one of the 'unsung heroes' of the final. Diouf made a significant effort to keep Mendy's towel away from opposing players and the young fans behind the goal. Senegal reached for the trophy with a goal scored in extra time and became the Africa Cup of Nations champion for the second time after 2021.
One of the names that determined the fate of the cup in the Africa Cup of Nations final never stepped onto the field. Senegal's backup goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf became one of the "unsung heroes" of the final by holding and passing Edouard Mendy's towel throughout the match.
UNFORGETTABLE FINAL'S UNSUNG HERO
The Africa Cup of Nations final, played at the Prince Moulay Abdallah Stadium hosted by Morocco, turned into a match that will be talked about for years due to the withdrawal crisis, penalty decisions, disallowed positions, and tense moments. Senegal reached the championship with a goal found in extra time amidst all this chaos.
HE DIDN'T STEP ONTO THE FIELD BUT AFFECTED THE COURSE OF THE MATCH
One of the notable names of the final was Senegal's backup goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf. Despite not playing a single minute in the match, Diouf kept vigil behind the goal to protect and hand over the towel of starting goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
THE TOWEL DETAIL TURNED INTO A SEPARATE STRUGGLE WITHIN THE MATCH
After similar incidents occurred in previous matches, it was reported that Diouf made intense efforts to keep Mendy's towel away from opposing players and young people behind the goal throughout the final. In the match played under rain, it was noted that Mendy frequently needed his towel, and Diouf remained in a separate struggle to hand over the towel for 90 minutes.
PENALTY CRISIS AND CHAMPIONSHIP GOAL
In the final moments, after a VAR penalty decision, Senegal withdrew from the field, but the team returned to the field with Sadio Mane's intervention. After the penalty miss, as the match went into extra time, Senegal reached for the cup with a goal found in the extra period and became the Africa Cup of Nations champion for the second time after 2021.