Morocco have officially been crowned champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after the Confederation of African Football overturned the result of the tournament final, following Senegal’s controversial walk-off.
Originally, Senegal defeated Morocco 1-0 in the final on 18 January, a match overshadowed by drama when Senegal’s players refused to continue after a stoppage-time penalty was awarded to the hosts with the game goalless.
After a delay of roughly 17 minutes, the Senegalese squad eventually returned to the pitch.
Brahim Diaz stepped up to take the penalty, but Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy saved it. In extra time, Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal, giving Senegal what appeared to be their second triumph in five years.
However, Caf’s appeal board has now ruled that Senegal “are declared to have forfeited the final match,” officially recording the result as a 3-0 win for Morocco.
The Senegalese Football Federation immediately signaled its intent to challenge the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, calling it “an unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable decision which brings discredit to African football.”
Caf’s statement explained that the ruling followed an appeal by the Moroccan FA (FRMF), which was “declared admissible in form” and subsequently upheld.
The governing body stated that “through the conduct of its team” Senegal violated Article 82 of the Africa Cup of Nations regulations.
Article 82 specifies that any team refusing to play or leaving the field before the end of regulation time without the referee’s permission “will be considered the loser and eliminated from the competition.”
Article 84 adds that any team breaching Article 82 will be permanently eliminated and the match recorded as a 3-0 defeat.
The FRMF emphasized that the appeal was “never intended to challenge the sporting performance of the teams” but to ensure the “application of the competition’s regulations.”
The federation added, “The federation reaffirms its commitment to respecting the rules, ensuring clarity in the competitive framework, and maintaining stability within African competitions. It also wishes to commend all the nations that took part in this edition of the Afcon, which has been a major moment for African football.”
Following the announcement, Senegal players reacted on social media. Crystal Palace forward Ismaila Sarr shared a series of crying-laughing emojis on Instagram, while West Ham’s El Hadji Malick Diouf posted a post-tournament celebration image with the caption: “Champions, speak up!” alongside a photo of his medal.
The original controversy unfolded when referee Jean Jacques Ndala awarded a stoppage-time penalty after reviewing a challenge by Senegal’s Diouf on Diaz, following advice from the video assistant referee.
Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw, frustrated after an earlier disallowed goal for Ismaila Sarr, led his players off the field.
Former Liverpool striker Sadio Mane remained on the pitch, trying to encourage his teammates to continue. After 17 minutes, the Senegal players returned, only to see Diaz’s tame ‘Panenka’ penalty saved by Mendy. Gueye’s extra-time goal then appeared to secure Senegal’s victory.
Morocco coach Walid Regragui condemned Senegal’s actions, calling them “shameful” and saying they do not “honour Africa.” Fifa president Gianni Infantino also publicly criticized the “ugly scenes” on Instagram.
Thiaw later acknowledged in a post-match interview that he had overreacted: “I should not have ordered my team off the field… I reacted in the heat of the moment.”
In a related development, Morocco parted ways with Regragui on 5 March, just four months ahead of the World Cup finals.
