After AFCON, the towel controversy resurfaces in the CAF Cup.

Incidents involving staff at Mohammed V Stadium during Wydad–Maniema Union have rekindled a controversy already seen during AFCON 2025, which has gone viral on social media.

Less than a week after the AFCON 2025 final between Morocco and Senegal, a controversy that was thought to be relegated to anecdotes resurfaced. During the CAF Confederation Cup match between Wydad Casablanca and Maniema Union, at Mohammed V Stadium, an unusual scene drew attention once more.

During the match, stadium staff tried to remove towels placed near the Congolese team’s bench, causing surprise and annoyance among the players and staff of Maniema Union. Footage quickly circulated on social media revived memories of an incident that had become notoriously famous during the last Africa Cup of Nations.

On X, the account La Gazette du Fennec did not fail to react with irony: “THE TOWEL GATE HITS AGAIN”, accompanying its message with an unequivocal reminder: “A week after the end of AFCON, the towel episode resurfaces.”

Indeed, it’s hard not to draw a parallel with the situation experienced by Édouard Mendy during AFCON 2025. The Senegalese goalkeeper was repeatedly disturbed by attempts to confiscate his towel, to the point that his teammate Yehvann Diouf had to step in as a protector to prevent any further intrusion.

The repetition of these incidents, in different competitions and contexts, raises questions about practices that go beyond the mere game. This new episode revives a controversy that has become almost surreal and once again raises the question of respect for teams and the proper conduct of matches on African pitches.