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Papi Thiau appears in a documentary to reveal the facts of the most controversial case in African history
Senegal coach Pape Tiau has reignited controversy over his players’ provisional withdrawal from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco amid a pending case at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
A few months later, African football is still living under the influence of these events. Senegal famously beat Morocco 1-0 in Rabat last January, but the Confederation of African Football (CAF) appeals committee awarded the title to the hosts based on the suspension of the Teranga Lions players.
However, Senegal’s federation has appealed the decision to CAS, and a decision is expected to be issued later after the 2026 World Cup.
Independent journalist Saikou Sidi has produced a 52-minute documentary titled “Step by Step with Papi Thiau” which will reveal a number of facts about the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
In a promotional clip for the film, Thiau stressed that Senegal’s withdrawal was not only due to the referee’s decision to award Morocco a penalty at the crucial moment of the second half.
He explained. “It was our fans on the other side, and even inside the field there were problems, so we couldn’t play.”
Very soon you will be able to follow my 52-minute report titled “Step by Step with Pope Tiau”.
“Step by Step with Pap Thiau” does not only tell the life of Pap Thiau. He tells his revenge through coaching. How he went from being an average player to… pic.twitter.com/eD9Dii43n8
— SAIKOU SEYDI (@Saikouseydi1) May 12, 2026
CAF’s Thiau was suspended for five games in addition to a $100,000 fine for asking his players to walk out.
A contradiction to his previous apology?
The announcement shocked some fans as it seemed to contradict what Thiau had said immediately after the final and before the appeals committee’s decision to change the title.
after the game The Senegalese coach has publicly admitted that he regrets his decisionHe said: “We did not agree with the decision. But after thinking about it, I didn’t like it at all that I asked my players to leave the field. I apologize to football.”
However, it is impossible to judge the new statement without knowing the full context of this statement or the full meaning that the coach wanted to convey, and therefore it is important to wait for the full documentary to air and hear all his explanations.
