{"id":2762,"date":"2026-01-20T03:45:05","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T03:45:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.worldpumpnews.com\/?p=2762"},"modified":"2026-01-20T03:45:05","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T03:45:05","slug":"senegal-player-praised-after-fighting-off-morocco-ball-boys-during-afcon-final","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.worldpumpnews.com\/?p=2762","title":{"rendered":"Senegal player praised after fighting off Morocco ball boys during Afcon final"},"content":{"rendered":"

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A clip of him saving Mendy\u2019s towel went viral<\/h2>\n

Senegalese reserve keeper Y\u00e9hvann Diouf has been praised by online football fans after his dedicated effort to protect Edouard Mendy\u2019s towel from Moroccan ball boys went viral. <\/p>\n

The 2026 Afcon final was marred by controversy, with Senegal accused of deliberately disrupting the final stages of the game by abandoning the pitch, after Morocco were handed a last-minute penalty. <\/p>\n


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18+ Be Gamble Aware<\/strong><\/p>\n

By the time the Senegal squad finally returned to the field, Morocco and Real Madrid star Brahim Diaz missed his spot kick, an error which many have put down to the added pressure of an arduous 15-minute delay to proceedings. <\/p>\n

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Big Shout out to Senegal\u2019s reserve goal keeper Yehvan Diouf, who was active all throughout the game handing Edouard Mendy his towel and fighting off ball boys and Moroccan players. A Real Soldier.\ud83d\udcaa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddf3
pic.twitter.com\/WXgQBDqDat<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Oxford & Harvard\u2615 (@SeyiGlobal) January 19, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Despite the accusations aimed at Senegal this morning, fans have also spotted a controversial incident of play, seemingly instigated by some of the Moroccan set-up. <\/p>\n

In the minutes leading up to the Diaz penalty, Moroccan players and ball boys could be seen trying to prize a towel out of Y\u00e9hvann Diouf\u2019s hands. <\/p>\n

With the rain pouring down in Rabat, it was essential that Mendy was able to keep his gloves as dry as possible, to prevent the ball from slipping through his hands and into the net. <\/p>\n

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In order to disrupt that key process, Moroccan ball boys were seen trying to steal the towel. <\/p>\n

Fortunately for Senegal and Mendy, Diouf stood fast, managing to evade all those attempts, and Mendy went on to save the vital Diaz attempt, setting his nation up for victory. <\/p>\n

Fans were quick to praise Diouf\u2019s actions, with one calling him a \u201creal soldier,\u201d and another adding: \u201cnot every hero wears the gloves.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Later making light of the scenario, the back-up keeper took to his Instagram story to say: \u201cThere it is\u2026 the medal and the towel.\u201d<\/p>\n

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