Senegal’s unused substitute goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf captured attention for his off-field heroics during the AFCON 2025 final against Morocco, posting a playful Instagram tribute after the Teranga Lions’ 1–0 triumph.

“There it is – the medal and the towel,” he wrote.

The post, accompanied by a love-struck emoji and a crying-laughing emoji, celebrated a small but crucial task: protecting Édouard Mendy’s towel throughout the tense, rainy encounter.

The seemingly simple task was made far from easy, as Morocco repeatedly tried to discard the 33-year-old goalkeeper’s towel, a tactic reportedly used during their semi-final win against Nigeria. Diouf stood firm, defending the towel from ball boys and flag bearers over the full 120 minutes of play.

At one point, the Senegal keeper was tackled to the ground by three ball boys and dragged across the pitch, with video footage showing him sprinting to reclaim the towel. Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi was also seen tossing one of Senegal’s towels over an advertising board, further highlighting the chaotic scenes.

Despite the interruptions, Diouf’s persistence ensured Mendy had a dry towel for crucial moments, including his match-winning save from a Panenka-style penalty in the final minute of normal time.

Fans quickly hailed Diouf for his dedication, proving that in football, off-field contributions can be just as important as on-field heroics.

His Instagram post has since gone viral, showcasing a lighter, human side of the high-stakes final while celebrating the teamwork behind Senegal’s second AFCON title in three editions.