Nigeria, Jan. 23 -- Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw has finally addressed the most controversial moment of the Africa Cup of Nations final, admitting that emotion, not defiance, drove his decision to order his players off the pitch during Sunday's explosive showdown against hosts Morocco.

The incident, which sent shockwaves across African football and drew widespread condemnation, came late in a tense final when Senegal staged a prolonged protest after a penalty was awarded to Morocco following a VAR review. Thiaw's side walked off the pitch in protest before eventually returning to complete the match.

Morocco went on to squander the penalty, allowing the game to drift into extra time, where Senegal struck the decisive goal to seal a dram...