Morocco’s national team captain, Achraf Hakimi, has expressed sorry about the controversial towel incidents that happened towards the end of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Two notable players involved in the towel incidents were Stanley Nwabali of the Super Eagles and Édouard Mendy, the goalkeeper of Senegal.
Moroccan team staff, ball boys, and even players like Hakimi were seen on camera many times trying to take towels from the opposing goalkeepers during both the semifinal and the final.
The scenes left people confused because the actions seemed meant to make it harder for the goalkeepers to hold on in the wet conditions.
During the final, video footage showed Moroccan players and stadium staff taking towels meant to keep Mendy’s gloves dry as there was some light rain.
A similar situation happened in the Atlas Lions’ semifinal match against the Super Eagles, where Nwabali was treated the same way.
After Paris Saint-Germain beat Liverpool 2-0 in the Champions League quarter-finals first leg, Hakimi spoke on the Movistar channel and said, “These are tough times, and the game was very tense on the field.
“I don’t feel proud about the image we gave off with the towels. Even though that happened, the team did well in the competition.
“We showed respect for their opponent in the tournament.”
Morocco beat Nigeria 4-2 in the Afcon semifinal after a penalty shootout, but Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi missed their kicks.