Senegal stripped of AFCON title as Caf declares Morocco champions

2026-03-18 - 04:44

Morocco have officially been named winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after the Confederation of African Football (Caf) overturned the original final result following Senegal’s controversial walk-off. Senegal had initially secured a 1-0 victory in the final played on 18 January. However, the match was marred by controversy when Senegalese players temporarily left the pitch after Morocco were awarded a stoppage-time penalty while the game was still goalless. After a delay of about 17 minutes, Senegal returned to the field. Morocco’s Brahim Diaz missed the penalty, which was saved, before Pape Gueye scored the winning goal in extra time. Despite that outcome, Caf’s appeal board later ruled in favour of Morocco, declaring that Senegal had forfeited the match. The governing body recorded the final result as a 3-0 victory for Morocco. The Senegalese Football Federation has rejected the decision, describing it as unfair and unprecedented, and says it will challenge the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Caf explained that Senegal’s actions violated competition rules, specifically provisions stating that any team that refuses to continue playing or leaves the field without the referee’s approval is considered to have lost the match and can be eliminated. Morocco’s football federation said its appeal was not intended to question the performance on the pitch but to ensure that tournament regulations were properly applied. The decision comes despite scenes of celebration from Senegal after the match, including a victory parade and players publicly marking their triumph on social media. Football observers say that while the official result has changed, it does not erase what fans witnessed during the match or the emotions surrounding Senegal’s on-field victory.