The International Sports Press Association (AIPS) has condemned the conduct of some Moroccan journalists during the chaotic 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat, where Senegal defeated hosts Morocco 1-0 on Sunday.

Midfielder Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal in the 94th minute, after Morocco’s Brahim Diaz missed a last-gasp penalty in normal time following a 14-minute delay. The match itself was marred by controversy when Senegal coach Pape Bouna Thiaw ordered his players off the pitch in protest at a penalty awarded to Morocco.

After the final whistle, tensions spilled into the media area. Videos showed Moroccan journalists walking out as Thiaw entered the post-match press conference holding his daughter’s hand. Arguments and scuffles then broke out between Moroccan and Senegalese reporters, forcing Thiaw to leave the room.

In response, AIPS issued a statement condemning the incident: “The AIPS Executive Committee strongly condemns the behaviour of colleagues who prevented the post-match press conference of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal in Rabat from proceeding smoothly on Sunday.”

The organisation added: “Our Association cannot accept that certain colleagues could tarnish the dignity of our profession, hence we have asked our colleagues at AIPS Africa for a detailed report on the incident.”

On Sunday night, Senegal etched their name into African football history by clinching their second AFCON trophy in less than five years, having won the previous one in 2021. Led by Sadio Mané, the Lions of Teranga defeated hosts Morocco 1–0 in a dramatic final that will be remembered for both its footballing brilliance and its controversies.

By Tongai Mwenje

The decisive moment came in the 94th minute when Pape Gueye struck the winning goal, sending Senegalese fans into wild celebrations. Just minutes earlier, the match had been overshadowed by a contentious penalty awarded to Morocco while the score was still goalless.

In protest against the decision, Senegal coach Pape Thiaw and his players, except captain Mané, walked off the pitch, halting the game for nearly fifteen minutes. Eventually, they returned to allow Morocco to take the spot kick. Real Madrid’s Brahim Díaz stepped up to face Senegal’s goalkeeper, former Chelsea man Édouard Mendy. Attempting a Panenka, Díaz saw his effort easily saved, setting the stage for Gueye’s late strike that sealed Senegal’s triumph.

The drama did not end on the pitch. When the victorious coach Thiaw arrived for his post-match press conference, smiling, holding a young girl, and waving to foreign journalists who applauded him, the local Moroccan press staged a walkout. Packing up their equipment, they exited the room, leaving behind a scene of confusion and disappointment. The press conference was ultimately cancelled.

This act of protest by Moroccan journalists blurred the line between professional reporting and activism. Journalism is guided by ethics, truth, fairness, independence, and accountability. Walking out rather than questioning the coach directly undermined these principles. If concerns existed, they should have been raised through dialogue, not through symbolic gestures that silenced the exchange of information.

By abandoning their role as impartial observers, the journalists acted more like activists than professionals. Their behaviour cast a shadow over what should have been a celebration of African football and highlighted the importance of media ethics in safeguarding the integrity of the profession.

It was, indeed, a sad day for the beautiful game.

No Airtime? Still Call. NetOne Has You Covered.

Harare — Zimbabwe’s state-owned mobile operator, NetOne, has unveiled a groundbreaking service that could transform the way millions of citizens stay connected. The new feature, Reverse Calling (Pay for Me), allows subscribers to make calls even when their airtime balance is zero, shifting the cost of the call to the recipient if they accept.

Breaking Barriers to Communication

For many Zimbabweans, the inability to make a call due to lack of airtime is more than an inconvenience, it is a daily crisis. Emergencies, job opportunities, family needs, and business transactions often collapse simply because someone cannot top up. NetOne’s Reverse Calling directly addresses this reality, ensuring that no one is silenced by an empty balance.

A mother can now reach her child without waiting for payday. A student can call home for school fees. A job seeker can follow up on an opportunity. A stranded traveler can ask for help.

These are not hypothetical scenarios; they are the lived experiences of millions. NetOne’s new service promises to bridge that gap.

How It Works

Reverse Calling is simple and transparent. When a subscriber with no airtime initiates a call, the recipient is notified and given the choice to accept and pay for the call, or decline. If accepted, the call proceeds normally, with charges applied to the recipient’s account. If declined, no one is charged.

NetOne emphasizes that the system is honest, fair, and user-controlled, removing the confusion and frustration often associated with “please call me” messages or missed connections.

A Lifeline in Tough Times

Zimbabwe’s economic challenges have made airtime a precious commodity. Yet communication remains essential for families, businesses, and communities. NetOne says Reverse Calling is not about luxury, but necessity.

“We see you. We understand how you live. And we are here to make communication easier for you,” the company stated.

By enabling real conversations instead of missed calls, NetOne positions itself as more than a telecom provider, it becomes a lifeline for everyday Zimbabweans.

The Bigger Picture

This innovation underscores the role of mobile communication in keeping families together, sustaining businesses, and opening opportunities. In a country where small solutions can make a big difference, NetOne’s Reverse Calling could redefine accessibility and ensure that no Zimbabwean is disconnected when connection matters most.