Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has rejected suggestions that Brahim Diaz deliberately missed his penalty in the Africa Cup of Nations final. The Morocco forward's spot-kick was saved by Mendy, leading to Senegal's eventual victory.
The controversy began when Diaz was fouled by El Hadji Malick Diouf in the area, prompting referee Jean‑Jacques Ndala Ngambo to award a penalty after a VAR review. The decision sparked a 20-minute delay as Senegal's players walked off the pitch in protest.
After returning at the request of Sadio Mane, Diaz attempted a panenka but Mendy caught the ball easily. Social media theories suggested Diaz intentionally missed, but Mendy dismissed this as unfounded.
"No, of course not. We have to be serious," Mendy told reporters. "Do you really think that one minute left and a country that has been waiting 50 years for a title, we can reach an agreement? He wanted to score and I deserve credit for stopping him."
Pape Gueye scored the winning goal in extra time, securing Senegal's second AFCON title. Mendy emphasised the team's unity: "We did it together and we came back together, that’s all that matters."
