CAF Declares Morocco Champions Of The 2025 AFCON

Morocco have been named the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations champions after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) reversed the outcome of the final in the wake of Senegal’s disputed walkoff.

Senegal had defeated Morocco 1-0 in the final held on 18 January, but the match was mired in controversy when the Senegalese players abandoned the pitch after the host nation was awarded a penalty in stoppage time with the scores still level.

After approximately 17 minutes, the players returned to complete the match. Brahim Diaz’s penalty was saved, and Senegal’s Pape Gueye then netted an extra-time winner. That result, however, has since been nullified by African football’s governing body.

In an official statement, CAF declared that Senegal “are declared to have forfeited the final match,” with the “result of the match being recorded as 3-0 in favour” of Morocco.

The ruling followed an appeal lodged by the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), which CAF confirmed is “declared admissible in form” and was subsequently upheld.

CAF further stated that “through the conduct of its team,” Senegal had breached Article 82 of the Africa Cup of Nations regulations, triggering the application of Article 84.

Related: Nigerians In South Africa Warned Against Celebrating Victory Over South Africa At The AFCON

Article 82 stipulates that any team that refuses to play or exits the field before the end of regulation time without the referee’s permission will be deemed the losing side and eliminated from the tournament. Article 84 reinforces this rule, specifying that any team found in violation of Article 82 will be permanently eliminated and handed a 3-0 defeat.

The FRMF, in its own statement, clarified that the decision to appeal was “never intended to challenge the sporting performance of the teams,” but rather a push for the “application of the competition’s regulations.”

“The federation reaffirms its commitment to respecting the rules, ensuring clarity in the competitive framework, and maintaining stability within African competitions,” the statement continued. “It also wishes to commend all the nations that took part in this edition of the Afcon, which has been a major moment for African football.”

What Unfolded in the AFCON Final?

With the game deadlocked at 0-0, referee Jean Jacques Ndala pointed to the spot in the eighth minute of stoppage time.

He was directed by the video assistant referee (VAR) to review footage at the pitchside monitor, examining a challenge by defender El Hadji Malick Diouf on Diaz.

Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw, still visibly agitated over Ndala’s earlier decision to disallow a Senegal goal from Ismaila Sarr, led his players off the field.

Former Liverpool striker Sadio Mané remained on the pitch, urging his teammates to return and see the match through.

When the players eventually came back after the 17-minute standoff, Real Madrid forward Diaz stepped up to take the penalty — only for his casual ‘Panenka’ attempt to be comfortably collected by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, who barely had to move. Ndala immediately blew the full-time whistle.

Villarreal midfielder Gueye then struck the decisive goal in the fourth minute of extra time, handing Senegal what appeared to be their second continental title in five years.

At his post-match press conference, Morocco coach Walid Regragui described Senegal’s conduct as “shameful” and said it did not “honour Africa.”

FIFA president Gianni Infantino also weighed in, strongly condemning the “ugly scenes” via an Instagram post.

Thiaw’s scheduled media briefing was cancelled after a commotion erupted in the press room, but he later addressed the situation in a follow-up interview, acknowledging that ordering his team off the pitch was wrong and that he had acted “in the heat of the moment.”