In Rabat, the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final was not just a match; it was a spectacle of passion and noise that left a profound mark on Senegal’s goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. “I had never felt this before, “Mendy revealed in an interview on The Mo Show podcast, describing the electric atmosphere that greeted the teams as they warmed up for the historic encounter. The Moroccan crowd’s roar was so intense that it seemed to follow Mendy long after the match had concluded. “For two days, I kept hearing their voices in my ears and in my head, “he recounted, his voice tinged with awe.
The Moroccan supporters’fervor was not confined to the stadium, as evidenced by a recent Fox Sports study that ranked them sixth globally for fan engagement across various social media platforms. This passion was on full display during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and has continued to resonate at the 2025 AFCON. The final itself was marked by chaotic events following Senegal’s withdrawal from the tournament, including vandalism acts by some fans who attempted to storm the pitch and used seats as weapons against security guards.
The controversy surrounding the final’s venue extended beyond the pitch. In March, the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) Appeal Board awarded the final to Morocco, acknowledging that Senegal had breached tournament regulations. Senegal appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), but Morocco remained steadfast in its position, citing evidence from the final itself. Despite the controversy, the event was a testament to the power of football to bring together fans and nations, with Moroccan supporters leaving an indelible mark on the tournament’s history.
Source: moroccoworldnews
Original author: Abderrahim Kabbour
