Hakimi Regrets Towel Incident at AFCON 2025 Semifinals

Achraf Hakimi, the captain of the Moroccan national football team, publicly expressed his regret regarding a controversial incident that occurred during the semifinals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) against Nigeria. The incident involved Moroccan team staff and players, including Hakimi, who were seen taking towels intended to keep Senegal's goalkeeper Édouard Mendy's gloves dry during a rainy match.

This action, which was captured on camera, led to confusion among viewers and was perceived as an unsportsmanlike tactic to hinder Mendy's performance. Hakimi stated that he does not feel proud of the image this incident portrayed, emphasizing the importance of respect for opponents in a competitive tournament.

Morocco ultimately triumphed over Nigeria in the semifinals, winning 4-2 in a penalty shootout after a tense match where players Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi missed their penalties.