DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Senegal coach Pape Thiaw has defended his team’s walkoff during the Africa Cup of Nations final, saying it was an emotional decision taken in the chaos of the moment.
Last Sunday, Senegal left the field in stoppage time when Morocco was awarded a penalty, just moments after a potential trophy-winning Senegal goal was ruled out.
“It was never my intention to go against the principles of the game I love so much,” Thiaw wrote on Instagram on Thursday. “I simply tried to protect my players from injustice. What some may perceive as a violation of the rules is nothing more than an emotional reaction to the bias of the situation. After deliberation, we decided to resume the match and go for the trophy.”
Sadio Mané persuaded the Senegal players back so Brahim Díaz could take Morocco’s penalty. Díaz’s effort was saved in the last action of normal time then Pape Guaye scored in extra time for Senegal to win 1-0.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino the next day slammed Senegal’s walkoff and the Moroccan Football Federation said it was pursuing legal action with FIFA and the Confederation of African Football because it “significantly impacted the normal flow of the match and the players’ performance.”
The decision to award the penalty led to fights around the field with rival players involved on the sideline while stewards battled with Senegalese behind one of the goals. Some fans managed to get onto the field where the fighting continued, and some were dragged away.
The Senegal walkoff ultimately led to a 15-minute stop in play, but there was still fighting ongoing when Brahim took his unsuccessful spot kick.
“We experienced an exceptional tournament with magnificent organization, which ended unfortunately in a dramatic fashion,” Thiaw said.
The Senegalese Football Federation decried a lack of “fair play” from the Moroccan hosts before the final, adding to the Teranga Lions’ sense of injustice when their late goal was ruled out and the penalty was awarded against them.
“I apologize if I have offended anyone,” Thiaw said of his team’s walkoff, “but football lovers will understand that emotion is an integral part of this sport.”
AP at the Africa Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-cup-of-nations
Senegal's head coach Pape Thiaw holds the trophy after winning the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match agaisnt Morocco, in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Kirill Kaprizov scored his second goal of the game 45 seconds into overtime to give the Minnesota Wild a 4-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night.
Kaprizov came down the middle and beat goalie Cam Talbot with a wrist shot from between the circles.
Mats Zuccarello also scored twice, and Filip Gustavsson made 31 saves.
Quinn Hughes had three assists, giving him 43 on the season, tied for the most among NHL defensemen. Hughes has seven assists in his last four games and has had at least three assists in a game four times since joining the Wild in a trade with Vancouver on December 12.
Lucas Raymond had two goals and James van Riemsdyk also scored for Detroit. Talbot made 35 saves.
The point for getting past regulation moved the Red Wings into tie with Carolina atop the Eastern Conference with 67 points. Detroit had won eight of its last nine.
The Red Wings took three one-goal leads, but the Wild answered each time.
Raymond and Kaprizov traded power-play goals in the first period.
Late in the second period, Detroit capitalized on a Wild turnover to take a 2-1 lead. Marcus Johansson's pass hit the skate of Detroit's Marco Kasper and the puck deflected to Raymond alone in front of the net. He beat Gustavsson with a wrist shot for his second goal of the night and 17th of the season.
Zuccarello scored twice in the third period.
Red Wings: At Winnipeg on Saturday night.
Wild: Host Florida on Saturday night.
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Detroit Red Wings left wing Lucas Raymond (23) celebrates after his goal as center Dylan Larkin, right, points to fans during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Minnesota Wild, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
Minnesota Wild right wing Mats Zuccarello, left, talks with right wing Vladimir Tarasenko and right wing Ryan Hartman before a face-off against the Detroit Red Wings during the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber, goaltender Filip Gustavsson and center Vinnie Hinostroza celebrate their overtime win against the Detroit Red Wings after an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
Minnesota Wild right wing Mats Zuccarello, left, celebrates his goal with left wing Kirill Kaprizov during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Detroit Red Wings Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
Minnesota Wild center Yakov Trenin, left, skates with the puck as Detroit Red Wings defenseman Ben Chiarot (8) defends during the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
