The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has awarded the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title to Morocco after its appeal board ruled that Senegal forfeited the final of the tournament following a successful protest.
Senegal had won the tension-soaked AFCON final 1-0 after extra time in Rabat on 18 January after chaotic scenes at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. Senegal players walked off the pitch following the awarding of a penalty from VAR, with fans from the West African nation fighting with security in an attempt to break onto the pitch.
A delay of about 17 minutes followed after most of the Senegal players returned to the dressing room. They eventually returned, with Sadio Mane, one of the players who stayed on the pitch.
The decision to rule out a goal from Abdoulaye Seck for a foul on Achraf Hakimi, referee Jean-Jacques Ndala faced further criticism when he awarded a soft penalty. A foul from El Hadji Malick Diouf on Brahim Diaz went unpunished, with Ndala pointing to the spot after a VAR review.
Diaz missed the penalty in the 24th minute of added time in bizarre circumstances when he attempted to Panenka the ball into the back of the net. However, Morocco have now been crowned champions of Africa for the first time since 1976.
The decision to overturn Senegal’s victory, which was announced on Tuesday evening, cancelled an earlier disciplinary ruling after an appeal by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football, with the board finding that Senegal breached competition regulations.
In its official statement, CAF confirmed that ‘the Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match… with the result of the Match being recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF)’.
The ruling also addressed related disciplinary matters, including sanctions involving Moroccan player Ismaël Saibari and incidents during the match, but upheld the forfeiture decision that effectively hands Morocco the continental title.
