Senegal Stripped of AFCON 2025 Title, Morocco Declared Winners: The Rules Backing the Appeal
- The Confederation of African Football overturned the result of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, stripping Senegal of the title
- Pape Gueye’s extra-time winner, which sealed the Teranga Lions' triumph, has been wiped from the continental record books
- Morocco have officially been awarded a 3-0 victory after CAF ruled that Senegal forfeited the game by staging a dramatic walkoff
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has delivered a dramatic ruling regarding the 2025 final of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), overturning the original outcome of the match between Senegal and Morocco.
The CAF appeal board's ruling was made in accordance with the competition regulations, effectively nullifying the dramatic on-field result that had originally crowned the Teranga Lions as African champions.
Source: Getty Images
In a statement released on Tuesday, March 17, on CAF's official website, the panel confirmed that Senegal had officially forfeited the final played on January 18, 2026, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Morocco.
As a result, following a successful appeal by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), the match has been recorded as a 3–0 victory for the host nation.
2025 AFCON final marred by controversy
Before the ruling, the final had been remembered as one of the most dramatic matches in AFCON history.
According to the BBC, Senegal thought they had secured the title in the 94th minute thanks to midfielder Pape Gueye.
Deep into extra time, he unleashed a powerful long-range strike that rocketed past the Moroccan defence and into the net.
The effort gave Senegal what appeared to be a 1-0 victory and sparked wild celebrations among the players and supporters.
However, the match had already been engulfed in controversy moments earlier.
As the game approached the end of normal time, referee Jean-Jacques Ndala was called to review a VAR incident during a corner kick.
After examining the footage, he awarded Morocco a contentious penalty, ruling that Senegal defender Malick Diouf had fouled Brahim Diaz inside the penalty area.
The decision sparked outrage from the Senegal camp, notably the head coach, Pape Thiaw.
Players surrounded the referee in protest while the situation briefly escalated, with some footballers and team management walking off the pitch in frustration.
However, senior figures, including veteran AFCON coach Claude Le Roy and Senegal legend El Hadji Diouf, intervened to calm tensions and persuade the players to return so the match could continue.
Morocco then had a golden opportunity to take the lead from the penalty spot.
Diaz stepped up and attempted an audacious Panenka, but Senegal goalkeeper Benjamin Mendy read the effort perfectly and made a comfortable save.
The miss proved costly, as Senegal regrouped in extra time before Gueye delivered his unforgettable strike that appeared to hand them the continental crown.
Source: Getty Images
Ruling used to strip Senegal's AFCON title
Now, in explaining its latest verdict, the CAF Appeal Board said its decision relied on Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations.
So what do those articles say in full?
Article 82 reads as follows:
''If, for any reason whatsoever, a team withdraws from the competition or does not report for a match, or refuses to play or leaves the ground before the regular end of the match without the authorisation of the referee, it shall be considered looser and shall be eliminated for good from the current competition. The same shall apply for the teams previously disqualified by decision of CAF.''
Article 84 is also provided in full below.
''The team which contravenes the provisions of articles 82 and 83 shall be eliminated for good from the competition. This team will lose its match by 3-0 unless the opponent has scored a more advantageous result at the time when the match was interrupted, in this case this score will be maintained. The Organising Committee may adopt further measures.''
Meanwhile, it remains to be known what Senegal's next line of action would be, although it is believed the Senegalese Football Federation will appeal CAF's decision.
2025 AFCON award winners
Earlier, YEN.com.gh also reported on the full award winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, featuring Senegal's Sadio Mane.
He was voted the Player of the Tournament, but with Senegal stripped of the title, that prize would mean little for the ex-Liverpool star.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
