Shame, provocation and divine justice: Mendy's unforgettable revenge in the AFCON final

Everything seemed perfectly set for Morocco to lift the Africa Cup of Nations trophy. On the pitch and around it, however, the final against Senegal descended into scenes that will be remembered more for disgrace than glory.

A Senegal goal was disallowed deep into stoppage time, and an even later penalty was awarded to Morocco. The script appeared written. History was waiting for the hosts.

But football - or perhaps something higher - had other plans.

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Morocco tried relentlessly to unsettle, distract and humiliate the Lions of Teranga goalkeeper Edouard Mendy throughout the final. And bizarrely enough, the focal point of the harassment was… his towel!?

Goalkeepers often keep a towel or a water bottle behind their goal... to dry the ball, wipe their gloves, and stay focused. On Sunday night, Moroccan ball boys attempted to steal his towel during live play.

A surreal scene unfolded. The reserve custodian, Yehvan Diouf, was forced to physically wrestle with a group of children who swarmed like hyenas, desperate to grab the "trophy" and destabilise Senegal's last line of defence.

They failed.

Deep into stoppage time, with the entire nation on its feet, Brahim Diaz stepped up to take the penalty that was meant to deliver Morocco's long-awaited AFCON glory.

He tried to humiliate Mendy, but the latter didn't even blink. Still as stone. Calm. Unmoved.

From that moment on, history was sealed and justice served.