Former West Ham United and Premier League goalkeeper Shaka Hislop has shed light on one of the most talked-about — and misunderstood — moments of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations: the deliberate targeting of goalkeepers’ towels during crucial matches.

During the AFCON semi-final and final, Moroccan players and ball boys were repeatedly seen taking towels belonging to Nigeria’s Stanley Nwabali and Senegal’s Edouard Mendy. In the final, even Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi and stadium officials were caught on camera removing Mendy’s towels and throwing them into the stands, leaving many fans puzzled and amused in equal measure.

A similar scenario unfolded in the semi-final clash between Nigeria and Morocco, where Nwabali was forced several times to return to the bench to retrieve new towels after his were taken away.

What looked like mind games — or outright chaos — now has a clear footballing explanation.

Speaking on ESPN FC, Hislop explained that a goalkeeper’s towel is not a random accessory but a vital piece of equipment.

“Your towel is part of your equipment because your gloves need to be a bit wet to work properly,” Hislop said.
“Whether it’s dry weather and you add water and squeeze it until it’s just right, or like in the AFCON final when it’s raining and you have to keep them dry so they work properly.”

According to Hislop, goalkeeping gloves rely heavily on controlled moisture to maintain grip. Too dry or too wet, and a goalkeeper risks losing control at decisive moments.

“I liken it to a player’s boots,” he added. “You wouldn’t mess with that depending on the weather. For a goalkeeper, you’re interfering with how their gloves function.”

Despite the seriousness of the interference, Hislop could not hide his disbelief at how the situation unfolded.

“I keep giggling because it’s so farcical. You had officials jumping, ball boys running onto players, and substitutes coming off the bench chasing technically subs. It was the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever seen.”

Remarkably, both Nwabali and Mendy still kept clean sheets through regulation time and extra time in their respective matches against Morocco, a testament to their concentration under pressure.

Opinion: Gamesmanship or Disrespect? AFCON’s Towel Saga Raises Questions

Football has always had an element of gamesmanship, but the towel incidents at AFCON 2025 crossed an uncomfortable line. What should have been a tactical battle on the pitch at times resembled a playground scramble off it.

While Hislop’s explanation helps fans understand why the towels mattered, it also exposes a worrying lack of control. Goalkeepers rely on rhythm, focus, and preparation — and deliberately disrupting their equipment feels less like clever strategy and more like unfair distraction.

That said, the calm response from Nwabali and Mendy deserves huge praise. In moments that could easily break concentration, both goalkeepers stood tall, proving that mental strength is just as important as physical skill.

AFCON is a tournament celebrated for its passion and intensity, but episodes like this remind organizers of the need for clearer rules and firmer officiating. Football drama should come from goals, saves, and moments of brilliance — not stolen towels flying into the crowd.

Still, if there was one positive takeaway, it’s this: African goalkeepers showed the world they can handle pressure, chaos, and controversy — and still deliver when it matters most. 🧤⚽