The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is considering a controversial new regulation that could directly affect goalkeepers across the continent following the storm over the use of towels at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
The issue first came into sharp focus during Nigeria’s semi-final clash against host nation Morocco, when Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was repeatedly distracted by ball boys and stewards. Nwabali’s towels, which he relied on to dry his gloves in the rain, were continually taken away, sparking frustration from the Nigerian players and bench. What initially appeared to be an isolated incident later escalated into a major controversy during the final, once again involving the hosts.
Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy faced similar interference, with Moroccan ball boys, stewards and even players repeatedly tampering with his towels throughout the match. One particularly controversial moment saw Africa Footballer of the Year Achraf Hakimi caught on camera removing Mendy’s towel, an incident that quickly went viral and intensified debate around gamesmanship and fair play.
Senegal, however, appeared better prepared for the situation. Reserve goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf later revealed that the team had learned from what happened to Nwabali in the semi-final. Diouf said he deliberately positioned himself near Mendy’s goal during the final to help safeguard his teammate’s towels and prevent further disruption.