Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has taken a swipe at Moroccan players and fans following their 1-0 defeat to Senegal in the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Morocco’s hopes of lifting the AFCON trophy were dashed on Sunday night after Pape Gueye’s extra-time strike sealed victory for Senegal. However, beyond the football, the final was also marked by controversial scenes involving Morocco’s ball boys and stadium officials.

Video clips from the match showed towels meant to keep Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy’s gloves dry being snatched and thrown into the crowd. The act sparked outrage among fans and neutrals, as it appeared to be a deliberate attempt to unsettle Mendy during crucial moments of the game.

Interestingly, the incident brought back memories of Nigeria’s semi-final clash against Morocco, where Nwabali himself was subjected to similar treatment. During that encounter, the Chippa United goalkeeper was forced to repeatedly return to the Super Eagles’ bench after his towels were taken away.

Following Morocco’s loss in the final, Nwabali took to his X (formerly Twitter) account to mock the North Africans. Writing in pidgin English, he posted:

“Make Una use all my towel Una carry wipe Una tears.”

The post quickly gained traction online, drawing reactions from Nigerian fans who saw it as poetic justice.

Opinion: Football Rivalry or Lessons in Sportsmanship?

Nwabali’s reaction may come across as banter, but it also exposes a deeper issue—gamesmanship crossing into unsportsmanlike conduct. While mind games are part of football, actions like interfering with goalkeepers’ equipment undermine the spirit of fair play, especially on the biggest stage of African football.

Morocco’s defeat to Senegal served as a reminder that such distractions rarely decide matches. In the end, discipline, focus, and footballing quality prevail. Senegal kept their composure, stayed professional, and were duly rewarded with the trophy.

As for Nwabali’s jab, it reflects the emotions and rivalries that make AFCON captivating. Still, one hopes future tournaments will focus more on brilliance on the pitch than antics off it—because Africa’s image, as many have rightly said, is always on the line.