Global streaming star IShowSpeed turned the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in Rabat into a viral spectacle, delivering one of the tournament’s most talked -about moments off the pitch, and a powerful act of compassion.
The American YouTuber and livestreamer, born Darren Watkins Jr., stunned fans by showing up in the stands disguised as the official AFCON finals mascot “Simba,” layered with a Morocco jersey.
Roaming the stadium while livestreaming to his massive global audience, Speed danced, barked, and interacted wildly with supporters, injecting his trademark energy into the high-stakes final between Morocco and Senegal.
IShowSpeed had the entire stadium erupt when he was revealed as the official mascot for the AFCON final in Morocco
pic.twitter.com/H9OJbq7VYI
— FearBuck (@FearedBuck) January 18, 2026
As the match unfolded, eventually ending in a heartbreaking 1–0 extra-time defeat for host nation Morocco after a missed stoppage-time Panenka penalty by Brahim Díaz, IShowSpeed’s animated reactions became a parallel show of their own.
His livestream reportedly peaked at over 400,000 concurrent viewers, with hundreds of thousands of new subscribers joining during the broadcast.
But it was what happened after the final whistle that truly defined Speed’s AFCON appearance.
Outside the stadium, IShowSpeed encountered a young Moroccan fan whose story deeply moved him.
The boy, who is blind following multiple medical procedures and lives with autoimmune complications, shared his journey with the streamer during a heartfelt exchange that included laughter, conversation, and Speed’s signature playful “bark-off.”
During the livestream, Speed revealed he had earlier purchased a brand-new iPhone 17, intending to gift it to a deserving fan.
After learning about the boy’s condition and his reliance on accessibility technology, Speed handed him the phone, citing its advanced Siri and accessibility features designed to support visually impaired users.
The emotional moment culminated in a warm embrace, leaving both the young fan and viewers visibly moved, even as many still reel from Morocco’s painful loss to Senegal on home soil.