Former Senegal striker Mamadou Niang has criticised Morocco for what he described as unsporting behaviour during their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations semifinal and final matches against Nigeria and Senegal respectively.

Video highlights from the Africa Cup of Nations final showed Moroccan players repeatedly snatching towels intended to keep Édouard Mendy’s gloves dry in the light rain, often tossing them into the stands.

The incidents appeared premeditated, mirroring a similar scenario in the semifinal against Nigeria, where goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was subjected to the same treatment.

On multiple occasions, the Super Eagles shot-stopper had to return to his bench to collect fresh towels after the ones he had were taken from him.

Niang called on tournament organisers to take responsibility for maintaining fair play, stressing that incidents like these should never occur under the watch of match officials.

Speaking as a pundit on Canal+, Niang said: "We saw what happened against Nigeria where the Nigeria goalkeeper (Nwabali) repeatedly had to get a towel to dry his gloves and face. And then it happened again several times.

"They stole Édouard's towel, I think five or six times. Édouard had to ask for towels because it started raining in extra time; that affected his vision, and his gloves were very wet.

"The Morocco players shouldn't prevent another Senegalese player from giving the towel to his goalkeeper.

"There are a lot of things that happened that are not normal, and it's the organisers who are responsible for the stewards."

Morocco reached the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final after a 4-2 penalty shootout victory over the Super Eagles despite Nwabali saving Hamza Igamane's spot kick.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel