‘Use My Towels to Wipe Your Tears’ — Nwabali Posts Cryptic Message After Morocco’s AFCON Final Defeat

Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has posted a cryptic message that appears to be directed at Morocco, amid renewed criticism of the host nation’s conduct at the recently concluded 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Nwabali’s reaction followed online backlash against Morocco, who were awarded the tournament’s Fair Play Award despite widespread complaints from fans and observers over alleged gamesmanship involving opposition goalkeepers.

Shortly after the AFCON final between Senegal and Morocco, Nwabali shared a message on his Instagram story written in Nigerian Pidgin: *“Make una use all my towels una carry wipe una tears.”* The post has been widely interpreted as a response to claims that towels were deliberately removed to disrupt goalkeepers during matches.

The controversy intensified during the rain-soaked final, after viral footage appeared to show ball boys preventing Senegal’s El Hadji Malick Diouf from passing towels to goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. Another video circulating online showed Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi throwing a Senegal towel over an advertising board, forcing Diouf to jump the barrier to retrieve it. There were also reports that Mendy was distracted by a laser beam directed at his face from the stands.

Similar allegations were made during the AFCON semi-final between Nigeria and Morocco, which ended 0–0 before Morocco advanced on penalties. Footage from that match showed Nwabali repeatedly leaving his goal area to collect towels from the Nigerian bench after the towel near his goalpost was removed. The Chippa United goalkeeper was also seen engaging with home supporters positioned behind his goal.

Despite the incidents, Morocco were officially recognised with the Fair Play Award at the end of the tournament, a decision that has continued to draw criticism from fans across social media.