‘I Had Never Felt This Before’: Senegal’s Mendy on Morocco’s AFCON Crowd

Rabat – Senegal’s goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has spoken about the extraordinary atmosphere created by Moroccan supporters during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in Rabat.

Speaking on The Mo Show podcast, Mendy admitted he had never experienced anything like it. “When we came out for the warm‑up, I told myself I had never seen such an atmosphere before. I was stunned. They put us under huge pressure, and they succeeded,” he said.

Mendy explained that the noise stayed with him long after the match. “For two days, I kept hearing their voices in my ears and in my head.”

“It was that loud,” he recalled. “I had never felt this before. What we experienced inside the stadium is something that happens only once in a lifetime.”

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This statement from an opponent acknowledges the strength of Moroccan supporters, both inside stadiums and beyond.

Their voices in Rabat left a lasting impression on  Mendy, proving how atmosphere alone can shape the memory of a final.

That passion extended far beyond the pitch and is now recognized worldwide. A recent Fox Sports study ranked Moroccan fans sixth globally for engagement across platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and YouTube.

From the historic scenes at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar to the unforgettable noise of 2025 AFCON , Moroccan supporters have shown they are among the most influential in football.

Game context

The final marked chaotic events after Senegal’s withdrawal from the tournament, causing a major stoppage time. The final also marked vandalism acts by some Senegalese fans who attempted to storm the pitch and used seats as weapons against security guards.

In March, CAF’s Appeal Board awarded the AFCON final to Morocco, acknowledging Senegal had breached the tournament’s regulations.

Senegal appealed the decision, taking the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Morocco, however, is determined that its case is strong, citing evidence documented during the final.