Morocco captain, Achraf Hakimi, has come under criticism following a controversial moment involving Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy during the chaotic 2025 AFCON final between both teams.
Video footage circulating on social media captured Hakimi picking up Mendy’s towel and throwing it towards a ball boy behind the goal post during a stoppage in play.
His action was widely interpreted as an attempt to remove the towel from Mendy’s reach during a critical moment of the match.
The towel was meant to help Mendy clean his face and wipe his gloves in the rainy weather conditions during the encounter.
However, some football fans were not pleased with the Paris Saint-Germain right-back’s action as they labelled it a disgrace.
Here are some reactions gathered by DAILY POST on X:
@UTDKara, “Never seen anything like this in any competition. Even Hakimi, a Champions League winner and African Player of the Year, joined in this disgraceful behaviour. Absolutely shameful scenes everywhere. Morocco should never host AFCON again.”
@PeakSxnti, “Hakimi throwing Mendy’s towel to the ball boy to hide… this is a disgrace.”
@mrboboskie, “That’s all wrong. Why will a player throw away another player’s towel?” However, some defended the Moroccan defender.”
@Ayantugajoshua, “Maybe he just cleared the place, what was Hakimi going to gain from them cleaning the ball or not?.
@IamMzilikazi, “SHAMELESS: They tried to win #AFCON2025 by hook or crook instead steal stealing #Senegal goalkeeper, Édouard Mendy’s towel so he can’t wipe his face as it was raining. The whole #Morocco captain, Achraf Hakimi, is leading by example without shame. #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025.”
@AUSTINHONEY88, “Achraf Hakimi once threw away Edouard Mendy’s towel, thinking it had some supernatural juju power
This is the same player who went on to win Fair Play Player of the Tournament.”
