By Martin Graham
the morocco have been officially named champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) overturned the original result of the final against Senegal. This is what the governing body has dictated Senegal lost the match, awarding a result of 3-0 in favor of Morocco.
The final, played on 18 January, had initially ended in a 1-0 victory for Senegal after extra time. However, the match became highly controversial when Senegal’s players temporarily left the pitch in protest after the hosts were awarded a stoppage-time penalty with the score still tied.
CAF’s appeals board later determined that Senegal’s actions breached the tournament’s regulations. According to Article 82, a team that refuses to continue playing or leaves the field without permission is deemed to have lost, while Article 84 states that such an offense results in a 3-0 defeat and elimination.
The Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) had submitted an appeal, which CAF confirmed was valid and accepted. The organization stressed that Senegal’s conduct triggered the disciplinary measures provided for in the rules, which led to the reversal of the result.
Controversy on the pitch and a spectacular finish
The turning point came in added time with the score at 0-0, when referee Jean Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty after consulting VAR for a tackle by El Hadji Malick Diouf on Brahim Diaz. The decision came after an earlier moment that had already angered Senegal, when an Ismaila Sarr goal was disallowed.
In response, Senegal coach Pape Thiaw ordered his players off the field in protest, although Sadio Mane stayed and tried to persuade his teammates to continue. After a delay of about 17 minutes, the players finally returned to resume the game.
Diaz stepped up to take the penalty but saw his Panenka effort easily saved by goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. The referee then signaled the end of normal time, sending the game into extra time, where Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal to secure what initially looked to be Senegal’s second title in five years.
The match concluded amid tension and criticism, with Morocco coach Walid Regragui calling Senegal’s actions a disgrace. FIFA president Gianni Infantino also condemned the scenes, calling them unacceptable.
Reactions and consequences of the CAF decision
Following CAF’s ruling, the Senegalese Football Federation strongly rejected the verdict and confirmed its plans to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The federation described the decision as unfair, unprecedented and damaging to the reputation of African football.
Morocco’s federation stated that its appeal was not intended to question the sporting efforts of either side, but rather to ensure that the rules of the competition were properly applied. He reiterated his commitment to fairness, clarity and stability in African football competitions.
Despite the official reversal, the emotional impact of the original result remains. Senegal’s players had celebrated their victory publicly, including a parade with the trophy, and footage of these celebrations circulated on the internet.
Observers noted that while the official record has changed, the events witnessed on the pitch, including the final minutes and Senegal lifting the trophy, cannot be undone. Meanwhile, Thiaw later admitted that his decision to retire the team was made in the heat of the moment.
In the weeks following the tournament, Morocco parted ways with head coach Walid Regragui, with the decision coming on March 5, months before the next World Cup.
