Rabat, Morocco – In a stunning turn of events, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has overturned Senegal’s victory in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, awarding the title to host nation Morocco. The decision, announced Tuesday, stems from protests filed by the Moroccan Football Federation regarding Senegal’s conduct during the January 18th match in Rabat.
Senegal had initially won the final 1-0 in extra time, thanks to a goal by Pape Gueye. However, the match was marred by controversy in stoppage time when Morocco was awarded a penalty. In protest, the Senegalese team walked off the field, leading to a 15-minute delay and a brief incursion onto the pitch by fans. Play eventually resumed, but the incident cast a long shadow over the result.
The CAF appeals board ruled that Senegal “declared to have forfeited the final,” effectively changing the scoreline to a 3-0 default win for Morocco. This decision reverses the initial outcome and hands Morocco their second Africa Cup of Nations title, ending a 49-year drought since their first triumph in 1976. NBC News and Médias24 both reported on the CAF’s decision.
The penalty itself was a source of contention. Morocco forward Brahim Diaz attempted a “Panenka” – a chipped penalty – which was initially saved by Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy. Prior to the penalty, Senegal believed they had scored a go-ahead goal, only for it to be disallowed due to a foul, a call that proved controversial upon replay. The sequence of events clearly fueled the Senegalese players’ frustration and ultimately led to their walk-off.
This isn’t the end of the story, however. The Senegalese Football Federation has already announced its intention to appeal the CAF’s decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), seeking to overturn the ruling. France 24 reports that Senegal is preparing a formal appeal.
The CAF cited Article 82 of its tournament regulations as justification for the verdict. The initial disciplinary hearing had resulted in fines exceeding $1 million and bans for players and officials from both Senegal and Morocco, but the on-field result had remained unchanged until this latest ruling. The financial penalties remain in place, according to reports.
The fallout from the decision has been significant. Walid Regragui, the head coach of Morocco, had initially resigned following the match, but his position is now complicated by this unexpected turn of events. It remains to be seen whether he will reconsider his resignation. The decision also raises questions about the interpretation and enforcement of CAF regulations, and the potential for similar incidents in future tournaments.
This case highlights the increasing scrutiny surrounding officiating and player conduct in African football. The dramatic scenes in Rabat, coupled with the subsequent appeals process, underscore the high stakes and intense emotions involved in the Africa Cup of Nations. The tournament, meant to showcase the best of African football, has instead been overshadowed by controversy and legal battles.
For Morocco, the victory represents a significant moment of national pride. The team and its supporters will undoubtedly celebrate the title, but the circumstances surrounding the win are likely to temper the joy for some. Senegal, meanwhile, is left to grapple with the disappointment of losing the title in such a contentious manner and prepare for a legal fight to restore their on-field victory.
The next step in this saga will be the hearing at CAS. The outcome of that hearing will ultimately determine whether Senegal’s initial victory stands or whether Morocco will officially be crowned the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations champions. Fans and observers across the continent will be watching closely as this dramatic story unfolds.
What’s Next: The Senegalese Football Federation is expected to file its appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport within the next ten days, as per CAF regulations. Updates on the CAS proceedings will be closely monitored by both federations and the wider football community.
