Senegal's Sharp Jab at Hassan's Seven-Finger Gesture Ahead of AFCON Final
17 January 2026
Senegal's Coach Fires a Pointed Jab Ahead of the AFCON Final
Pabi Thiow, Senegal's head coach, spoke with a sharp edge at a pre-final press conference for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations against Morocco, joking about hints from Egypt's coach Hossam Hassan regarding the Pharaohs' continental titles, and he also voiced a firm stance against retiring star Sadio Mane from international duty.
Thiow commented on Hassan's repeated gesture of holding up seven fingers, a nod to Egypt's seven continental crowns: "We all agree that Egypt is the best in Africa, because their coach spends all his time pointing at the number 7 with his fingers."
The Senegalese coach's remarks came in a wry tone, implicitly answering Hassan's recent messages through that seven-finger gesture after Egypt's exit from the tournament at the hands of the Lions of Teranga.
In another note, Thiow rejected the idea of Mane quitting international football, after the Senegal star hinted that the final could be his last appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations.
“When you have Sadio Mane, it isn't about you alone, but about a whole nation. The decision may have been made in a moment of haste,” he said.
“If the decision were in my hands, I would not sign his departure. We need Sadio, and the country needs him.”
Senegal are set to meet Morocco in Rabat's Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Sunday, in what is billed as one of the tournament's strongest finales.
