Samuel Eto’o, President of the Cameroonian Football Federation, has heaped praise on Senegal forward Sadio Mané and defended head coach Pape Thiaw following the dramatic conclusion of the AFCON 2025 final.

Senegal claimed their second Africa Cup of Nations title after a 1–0 extra-time victory over hosts Morocco on Sunday night. The final was briefly thrown into chaos in stoppage time when a late penalty was awarded to Morocco, prompting some Senegalese players to walk off the pitch in protest before eventually returning to complete the match.

Speaking to the media, Eto’o described Mané as one of Africa’s greatest footballers, highlighting his exceptional leadership and ability to guide his teammates through a highly charged encounter. He also expressed hope that Mané would receive further recognition on the global stage for his achievements.

Eto’o defended Senegal coach Pape Thiaw, emphasizing that emotions often run high in decisive matches. Recalling a similar incident from his own career—when he faced suspension for refusing to withdraw his team during a heated Cameroon vs. Morocco encounter—Eto’o stressed that such decisions are driven by passion rather than poor judgment.

He commended Thiaw’s courage, noting that standing by his players carried risks but ultimately paid off, as Senegal lifted the AFCON trophy in a tense and memorable final.