Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has taken a swipe at Morocco following their defeat to Senegal in the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), referencing an incident involving his towels during Nigeria’s semi-final clash with the Atlas Lions.
Morocco lost the AFCON title to Senegal in the final, a match that saw heightened tension and physical exchanges, particularly around goalmouth incidents. In contrast to Nigeria’s experience in the semi-final, Senegalese players reportedly prevented Moroccan players and stadium stewards from taking away the towels belonging to their goalkeeper, Édouard Mendy.
The incident appeared to echo what happened during Nigeria’s penalty shootout loss to Morocco, when Nwabali’s towels were repeatedly taken from behind his goal, an action many Nigerian fans believed disrupted the goalkeeper’s concentration.
Reacting after the final, Nwabali on his Instagram story written in Nigerian Pidgin, mocked Morocco’s defeat.
“Make wona use all my towel wona carry wipe una tears,” he wrote.
Senegal’s victory denied Morocco a chance to end their long AFCON title drought, while Nigeria went on to finish the tournament in third place after defeating Egypt in the playoff.