A stunning turn of events has shaken African football. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has stripped Senegal of its victory in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, awarding the title to Morocco instead. The decision, announced late Tuesday, has left fans and officials in both countries stunned.
The CAF’s appeals panel declared Senegal’s national team forfeited in the final, despite their on-field victory. The decision was made in response to an appeal filed by the Moroccan Football Federation, which argued that Senegal had abandoned the match prematurely. The Moroccan side had lost the final 1-0 to Senegal on January 18, following a tense match that saw Senegal claim the trophy in extra time.
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has vowed to appeal the decision, calling it “an unjust and unprecedented move that tarnishes African football”. The Senegalese government has also demanded an international investigation into allegations of corruption within the CAF’s leadership.
Marie Rose Khady Fatou Faye, spokesperson for the Senegalese executive, declared, “Senegal categorically rejects this unjust attempt to strip us of our hard-earned victory.”
Key regulations under scrutiny
The CAF’s decision hinges on Articles 82 and 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations regulations. Article 82 states that “if any team leaves the field before the match concludes without the referee’s permission, it will be considered forfeited and eliminated from the competition.” Article 84 addresses sanctions for such breaches.
The FSF’s secretary-general, Abdoulaye Sow, told local media Le Soleil that the federation would not surrender the trophy to Morocco. “The CAF is rotten—global reactions confirm outrage over this decision. The president of the FSF is consulting with all stakeholders. This fight is far from over. I assure all Senegalese that the country’s right to victory stands firm. The cup stays in Senegal.”
Recounting the chaotic final
The original final on January 18 was marred by controversy. In stoppage time, Morocco was awarded a controversial penalty, sparking outrage from Senegalese players who claimed they had been denied a penalty earlier in the match. Senegal’s coach, Pape Thiaw, ordered his team off the pitch in protest. Sadio Mané remained on the field as chaos unfolded in the stands, with Senegalese supporters throwing objects and attempting to storm the pitch. After a 15-minute delay, play resumed, and Senegal went on to win 1-0 in extra time, securing their first continental title.
Nearly two months later, the CAF’s decision has reignited debates over fairness and transparency in African football governance.
A precedent with Wydad Casablanca
The Moroccan Football Federation justified its appeal by citing a 2019 precedent in the CAF Champions League. In that instance, Wydad Casablanca was awarded the title three months after their players walked off the pitch during the final, protesting a VAR malfunction. The Esperance Sportive de Tunis was declared the winner without a replay.
A source close to the Moroccan Federation told AFP that their appeal was not about contesting Sporting performance but solely about enforcing the tournament’s regulations.
Meanwhile, the CAF’s disciplinary jury had already imposed heavy fines on both federations in late January for unsportsmanlike behavior and violations of fair-play principles. Additionally, the trial of 18 Senegalese supporters, imprisoned since the final and facing sentences of up to one year for hooliganism, has been postponed to March 30.
