By Nguni Sonita
BUEA, PAV – Morocco have been officially crowned the winner of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after the Confederation of African Football overturned the result of the final following Senegal’s controversial walk-off during the match.
Senegal had initially secured a 1-0 victory over Morocco in the final played on January 18, in a game that descended into chaos in stoppage time. With the score still goalless, the referee awarded Morocco a late penalty, prompting Senegal’s players to leave the pitch in protest briefly.
The decisive moment in the final came deep into stoppage time when referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded a penalty to Morocco after consulting VAR over a challenge involving Senegal defender El Hadji Malick Diouf.
The decision followed an earlier contentious moment when a Senegal goal by Ismaila Sarr had been disallowed, further fueling tensions. Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw, reacting angrily to the decisions, instructed his players to leave the field. Although they eventually returned, the incident proved pivotal in CAF’s later ruling.
Morocco coach Walid Regragui had earlier condemned Senegal’s actions, describing them as “shameful” and not reflective of African football values. Gianni Infantino also criticised the scenes, calling them “ugly.”
After a delay, the Senegal team returned, but Morocco’s Brahim Díaz saw his penalty saved by goalkeeper Édouard Mendy. Senegal then went on to win the match in extra time through Pape Gueye.
However, that result has now been nullified after CAF’s appeal board ruled that Senegal had breached competition regulations by refusing to continue play without authorisation. In a statement, CAF declared that Senegal had “forfeited the final match,” adding that the result would be recorded as a 3-0 victory in favour of the Moroccan national football team.
CAF cited Articles 82 and 84 of its regulations, which stipulate that any team that refuses to play or leaves the field without the referee’s consent will be deemed to have lost the match and can be eliminated from the competition.
The decision followed an appeal by the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), which CAF said was admissible and subsequently upheld. The Moroccan federation maintained that its action was not aimed at disputing the on-field performance but rather ensuring that competition rules were properly applied.
The ruling has generated strong reactions in Senegal, with the Senegalese Football Federation announcing plans to challenge the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. It described the verdict as “unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable,” warning that it risks damaging the credibility of African football.
“The Senegalese Football Federation denounces this unfair, unprecedented, and unacceptable decision, which discredits African football,” the FRMF said in a statement.
“To defend its rights and the interests of Senegalese football, the Federation will initiate an appeal as soon as possible before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne. The FSF reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the values of integrity and sporting justice and will keep the public informed of developments in this matter.”
The controversy has also drawn criticism from players, including Sadio Mané, who expressed deep frustration over the decision. “What happened has gone too far,” Mané said. “This is not the football we fight for. There is too much corruption in our game, and it is killing the passion of millions of fans across the continent.”
Despite the official reversal, the controversy surrounding the final is unlikely to fade soon, with legal proceedings expected and debate continuing across the continent.
