In the heart of Rabat, the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final was not just a game—it was a spectacle of passion and energy. Senegal’s goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy, found himself at the epicenter of this extraordinary event, where the Moroccan crowd’s fervor left an indelible mark on his memory. “I had never felt this before, “Mendy confessed on The Mo Show podcast, describing the atmosphere as unlike anything he had ever witnessed. “.
When we came out for the warm — up, I was taken aback by the sheer volume of noise. It was intense, and they put us under immense pressure.”.
The Moroccan supporters’relentless cheer and chants seemed to echo in Mendy’s ears long after the match had concluded. “For two days, I kept hearing their voices in my head, “he recounted.
The sheer volume of the crowd, he emphasized, was a testament to the power of atmosphere in shaping the experience of a final. “It was that loud, “he said his voice reflecting the awe he felt. “What we experienced inside the stadium is something that happens only once in a lifetime.”.
Mendy’s comments underscore the impact of Moroccan fans, whose passion extends beyond the confines of the stadium.
A recent study by Fox Sports ranked Moroccan fans sixth globally for engagement across social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and YouTube. This passion was on full display during the historic scenes of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and the unforgettable noise of the 2025 AFCON final.
However, the final was not without controversy. Senegal’s withdrawal from the tournament led to chaotic events, including vandalism acts by some fans who attempted to storm the pitch and used seats as weapons against security guards.
The incident prompted a major stoppage time and a subsequent investigation.
In March, the CAF’s 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 remains confident in its case, citing evidence documented during the final.
Source: moroccoworldnews
Original author: Abderrahim Kabbour
