The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially declared Morocco as the champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after overturning the original outcome of the tournament’s final.
A review of CAF’s official records on Monday now shows Morocco crowned winners of the TotalEnergies AFCON 2025, while Senegal has been repositioned as runners-up.
This dramatic reversal follows a decision issued on March 18 by CAF’s Appeals Board, which invalidated the result of the January 18 final held in Rabat.
In the original match, Senegal had edged Morocco 1-0 after extra time, thanks to a decisive strike from Pape Gueye.
However, the match descended into controversy in its closing stages. Senegalese players briefly left the pitch in protest after a late penalty was awarded to Morocco, sparking confusion and disrupting the flow of the game.
The Violation
CAF later determined that the walk-off violated competition rules. Citing Article 84 of the AFCON Regulations, the Appeals Board ruled that Senegal had forfeited the match.
As a result, the final score was officially revised to a 3-0 victory in favor of Morocco’s football federation.
The ruling grants Morocco their second AFCON title but has ignited strong reactions across the football world. Critics argue that the decision disregards the result achieved on the field and sets a contentious precedent.
Senegal’s football authorities have rejected the verdict and announced their intention to challenge it at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe has stood by the decision, stating that it was reached through a commitment to fairness and strict adherence to established regulations.
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He stressed that no nation is given special consideration and that upholding the integrity of the competition remains paramount.