KALIDOU KOULIBALY showed his class as he refused to lift the Afcon trophy following Senegal’s triumph over Morocco.
Pape Gueye netted the winning goal for the Lions of Teranga as they upset the hosts at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Koulibaly, 34, was not involved in the match as he was forced off in the semi-final victory against Egypt.
It was a blow for the nation’s captain as he suffered an apparent adductor injury.
The former Chelsea star watched on as his team-mates won a dramatic final in Rabat.
Koulibaly caught the attention of fans as he came down to the pitch for the trophy lifting after full-time.
His choice of clothes reminded fans of another ex-Blues defender as he went “full John Terry” and wore his full kit.
He could be seen as the trophy was presented in the Senegal kit, along with a flag tied around his waist.
Terry famously appeared in his full Chelsea kit after the 2012 Champions League final victory over Bayern Munich despite being suspended.
Despite being given trophy to lift, the Al-Hilal star refused to be the one to lift it as he handed the honour to Sadio Mane.
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The former Liverpool winger was wearing the captain’s armband at the time after playing in the match.
Koulibaly allowed Mane to be the one to lift the trophy as it is his last Afcon tournament.
Fans reacted to the moment on social media.
One posted: “Letting Sadio Mane have his deserved moment…CLASS.”
A second wrote: “Koulibaly passing the moment to Mane shows true class, celebrating the man who’s given it his all for Senegal.”
A third commented: “That’s a real captain.”
A fourth said: “Koulibaly passing the trophy to Mané—pure class.”
Another added: “Mane showed leadership so it was beautiful. Koulibaly recognised that and allowed him lift the trophy.”
Mane, 33, played a key role in the victory as he was the one who convinced the team to return to the pitch after they had walked off.
The final was at risk of being abandoned as they stormed off in protest at a last minute penalty being awarded to Morocco.
Mane showed his leadership and took the players back onto the pitch so the match could be finished.
Brahim Diaz missed the penalty with a shocking Panenka effort before Senegal would eventually win.
