Love Island viewers were left fuming after Sunday’s episode clashed with the AFCON final which saw Senegal take on Morroco.
As three new bombshells Samie Elishi, Konnor Ewudzi and AJ Bunker, entered the villa the nail-biting match in Rabat was still in full swing.
Taking to X fans complained: ‘Senegal I need you to score a goal ASAP. We can’t o into ba prolongation. Love Island starts in 20mins’: ‘I’m going to have to cut this match short to watch Love Island’: ‘Damn I should be watching love island, but AFCON has me HOOKED’.
The dramatic game saw Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw directed his players off the pitch and back onto the bench in apparent protest over a late penalty awarded to Morocco in the final minutes.
Real Madrid star Brahim Diaz went down tussling for the ball in the box, with the referee Jean-Jacques Ndala and VAR taking their time over the decision to award the spot kick.
After consulting the monitor, Morocco – the host nation – were awarded the penalty, but the decision over whether it was deserved boiled over into a row between players and coaches – with Thiaw then calling his players off the pitch.
Love Island viewers were left fuming after Sunday’s episode clashed with the AFCONfinal which saw Senegal take on Morroco
The dramatic game saw Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw directed his players off the pitch and back onto the bench in apparent protest over a late penalty awarded to Morocco
Former Liverpool icon Sadio Mane appealed to his team-mates as they made their way down the tunnel, with some wavering over whether they should leave or not.
Mane eventually departed by the tunnel, and was seen sprinting towards the dressing room.
Love Island alum Samie, who reached the final of the 2023 series and featured briefly on All Stars in 2025, is set for a third stint.
The star has appeared twice before on the series – first joining as a bombshell in the 2023 series and coming in third place beside Tom Clare.
However, the pair had a dramatic split just a few months after returning home.
Both Tom and Samie appeared on All Stars series two in January 2025, with Samie entering as a bombshell on the show on day 22 but only lasting five days before she was dumped from the island.
Samie went on to date presenter Sam Thompson before quietly splitting and Tom went on to win All Stars with Molly Smith, and the pair are now engaged.
Speaking ahead of villa return on Sunday, Samie admitted she decided to head back to the show after feeling she didn’t ‘get a fair shot’ during the last All Stars.
As three new bombshells Samie Elishi, Konnor Ewudzi and AJ Bunker, entered the villa the match in Rabat was still in full swing
Taking to X fans complained: ‘Senegal I need you to score a goal ASAP. We can’t o into ba prolongation. Love Island starts in 20mins’
Joining Samie is AJ Bunker who rose to prominence in 2021 during the show’s seventh series.
She was an Islander on season 7 and entered the villa on Day 17 but was dumped from the island on Day 23.
AJ turned to boxing once she left Love Island and officially began her sporting career in 2022.
Speaking ahead of her villa return, AJ said: ‘I just want to not be so in my shell. My friends and family watching knew it wasn’t me and I was being reserved.
‘There were times during my previous series where I should have spoken up and said ”That’s not ok” – I was putting my own feelings aside.’
‘I’d like to show people that I’m not a doormat, I’m a girls’ girl but maybe I need to put myself first more. Since I started boxing I’ve become more resilient, too.’
The dramatic game saw Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw directed his players off the pitch and back onto the bench in apparent protest over a late penalty awarded to Morocco
Meanwhile Konnor was an Islander on Season 11 and entered the villa on Day 17 and was dumped from the island on Day 44.
Asked why he’s heading back into the villa, Konnor added: ‘It’s another opportunity to find somebody; I didn’t find a girl the first time round so it’s a great chance to try again.
‘I turned 30 in November so my friends around me are getting engaged, having kids and I’m wondering, ”When is it my turn?”
LOVE ISLAND: ALL STARS LINE UP
WHITNEY ADEBAYO
AGE: 28
SERIES 10 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
A new start and what better place than home? Back to the Villa! A fresh start in the place that started it all.
MILLIE COURT
AGE: 29
SERIES 7 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
I felt really grateful to experience the Villa over four years ago – why would I not want to experience it again?
BELLE HASSAN
AGE: 27
SERIES 5 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
I feel like I’m ready to find me a husband! I’m sick of heartbreak and I’m ready to meet someone new
HELENA FORD
AGE: 29
SERIES 12 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
Apart from the last week in the Villa, I loved my time on Love Island. I want to do it again as it can only get better.
JESS HARDING
AGE: 25
SERIES 10 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
Even though I ended up winning the series with Sammy, I felt like I had a bit of a rocky ride the first time and I feel like I’ve matured a lot more since.
LEANNE AMANING
AGE: 28
SERIES 6 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
I want to be open in the way that I should have been in Series 6 and the streets are the trenches, so this is the only way to find someone!
SCOTT VAN-DER-SLUIS
AGE: 25
SERIES 10 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
Since my time on Love Island 10, I think I’ve been on a journey for the last two and half years and I’ve always had in my head that All Stars is the final chapter of that journey.
AJ BUNKER
AGE: 33
SERIES 7 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
I’ve been single a while so I’m really excited to go in and hopefully find a romantic connection with someone.
CIARAN DAVIES
AGE: 23
SERIES 11 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
To find love! I’ve been single for just over a year now, I’m ready to settle down again.
Nas will be entering the villa almost a year after splitting from girlfriend Eva Zapico four years after they met in the villa
JACK KEATING
AGE: 26
SERIES 8 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
I have to come back and redeem myself, my experience before was short & sweet. Revenge tour is here!
SEAN STONE
AGE: 26
SERIES 11 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
I like the fact that you can find someone from a different area and lifestyle – that’s quite exciting
TOMMY BRADLEY
AGE: 22
SERIES 12 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
It was the best time of my life. I was so out of my comfort zone but learnt so much about myself and met friends for life. I want a second chance at meeting someone romantically
CHARLIE FREDERICK
AGE: 31
SERIES 4 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
I’d like a fair crack at the whip! The first time round, I was in there for five days and I really want to find someone
SHAQ MUHAMMAD
AGE: 27
SERIES 9 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
Last time I did find love but it didn’t work out. This time round, I need to find a wife and give my mum some grandchildren!
SAMIE ELISHI
AGE: 25
SERIES 9 LOVE ISLAND AND ALL STARS SERIES 2
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
I feel like my last time in the All Stars Villa, I didn’t get a fair shot and it’s such an amazing experience so if I can do it one more time, why not?
KONNOR EWUDZI
AGE: 30
SERIES 11 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
It’s another opportunity to find somebody; I didn’t find a girl the first time round so it’s a great chance to try again.
