“Deserved” – West Ham boss Espirito Santo weighs in on Senegal’s stripped AFCON title

Mar 21, 2026 - 01:00

West Ham United head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has reacted to CAF's decision to strip Senegal of the AFCON 2025 title by awarding Morocco a straight victory, Soccernet.ng reports.

The decision was made two nights ago. Senegal had a goal chalked off in the final due to an early foul call by the referee.

However, all hell broke loose in the 95th minute when El Hadji Malick Diouf brought Brahim Diaz down from an inswinging corner kick.

Pape Thiaw's players didn't agree with the decision, and as such, walked off the field while their captain, Sadio Mane, remained.

The former Liverpool winger would eventually call his teammates back onto the pitch for the penalty to be taken, which was eventually missed by Brahim Diaz.

Brahim Diaz reacts with visible sadness after missing a penalty in the final minutes of regular time during the AFCON final against Senegal — Brahim Diaz reacts with visible sadness after missing a penalty in the AFCON. Copyright: ImagoxNganduxKatayixKevin/ABACAx

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Malick Diouf played 106 minutes in that final, and was welcomed by his club side after he was crowned an African Champion.

West Ham: Nuno Espirito Santo reacts to CAF AFCON decision

CAF's decision sent the World of football into a frenzy, with ex-footballers like Nigel Reo-Coker calling the football body a disgrace for soiling Africa's name on the global stage.

Speaking ahead of West Ham's trip to Birmingham to take on Aston Villa, Espirito Santo was shocked by the decision, claiming he's not seen anything like it. Still, he believes Malick Diouf is an AFCON winner.

Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo walks around the pitch with Taiwo Awoniyi and Chris Wood as they applaud the fans after the Premier League match at City Ground, Nottingham — Nuno Espirito Santo walks around the pitch with Taiwo Awoniyi and Chris Wood as they applaud the fans. Copyright: ImagoxMartinxRickett

“I watched the game at the time, I saw the final. But for me, what happens on the pitch stays on the pitch. For me, Malick is a Champion,” the former Nottingham Forest head coach said in an interview with Sky Sports.
“It's over. All the decisions that came after that, I don't know. Malick deserves a medal. I don't think I've seen anything like that in football.
“I remember the final, Sadio Mane played a big role, and they won it. I hugged Malick, and I told him he's a champion,” the Portuguese coach concluded.