Senegal’s first choice goalkeeper, Edouard Osique Mendy has mocked Moroccan ball boys for the way they repeatedly ‘stole’ his face towel during the Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday, Sports247 reports.
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While many football fans across the world are still in a quandary over what spurred the ball boys into taking such action, Mendy alleged that it’s because they were afraid of voodoo.
However, the Al-Ahli FC of Saudi Arabia shot-stopper, who was born in France and hit headlines when he starred for Chelsea of England, said he was amazed that the Moroccans are worried about witchcraft in football.
Mendy, who previously starred for Reims and Rennes of France, before going on to record 70 appearances for Chelsea, added that closer attention should be paid to such antics from ball boys in subsequent matches.
Mendy, who has 57 Senegal caps and 70 apprarances for Ahli, disclosed: “I placed my towel next to the goal to dry my gloves from the rain, but it was removed five times.
“I used another one, and that too was taken away. It’s unfortunate that, in 2026, some people still believe that witchcraft controls the outcome of football matches.”
Sports247 recalls that Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali suffered the same issue of ‘missing towels’ during the Super Eagles’ semi-final defeat by the Moroccans, who won the game 4-2 on penalties after it ended goalless after extra time.
