After a crazy scenario, Senegal won the second title in its history in the African Cup of Nations, beating Morocco 1-0 in overtime. Beyond the controversies at the end of regulation time, Edouard Mendy only wants to remember this trophy and the pride of an entire country.
After 2021, Senegal hangs a new African champion star on its jersey. And that’s all Edouard Mendy wants to remember. The goalkeeper of the Lions of Teranga did not want to enter into controversies after the CAN final won against Morocco (1-0 after extra time).
“We are not going to speak directly, things have happened but in the end what we have to remember is that football won,” insists the goalkeeper at the CAF microphone. “Morocco has been waiting for this trophy for more than 50 years, they had everything behind their cause but we responded in our own way and this evening we are celebrating Senegal. We were keen to win this final, to bring the trophy home. Millions of Senegalese are happy, we will enjoy it.”
“We must stop there on the controversy”
Edouard Mendy captured Brahim Diaz’s missed panenka, a penalty at the origin of the controversy and the incidents at the end of regulation time. “He tried the panenka, I stayed on my feet. We kept the team in the match and I helped my team at that moment,” he says. “Yes, he wanted to score, I stopped him, we have to stop the controversy there.”
Before the Moroccan striker took his penalty, the Senegalese players returned to the locker room, angry after the decision of the referee, who had just refused a Senegal goal. Sadio Mané convinced them to come back. “What we said to each other? It stays between us, we did it together and we came back together, that’s all we have to remember, we can be proud tonight.”
“Frankly it was a very complicated match, we were keen to win here, a beautiful country, they have incredible supporters. We gave everything, we didn’t cheat. Senegal are African champions and we are very happy”, summarizes the Senegal goalkeeper. Victory and nothing else.
