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Caf overturns Senegal's victory in Afcon final
Morocco have been declared winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after the Confederation of African Football (Caf) ruled Senegal forfeited the final following a walk-off. The decision hands Morocco a 3-0 victory, overturning Senegal's 1-0 extra-time win on 18 January.
What led to the forfeit
The final in Morocco was tied 0-0 when referee Jean Jacques Ndala awarded the hosts a stoppage-time penalty. Senegal's players left the field in protest, returning only after a 17-minute delay. Brahim Diaz's penalty was saved, but Pape Gueye later scored in extra time to secure Senegal's apparent victory.
Caf's ruling and Senegal's response
Caf's appeal board cited Article 82 of Afcon regulations, which states that a team refusing to play without the referee's permission is automatically deemed the loser. Senegal were declared to have forfeited, with the result recorded as 3-0 to Morocco.
"This is an unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable decision that brings discredit to African football,"
Senegalese Football Federation
The federation announced plans to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Morocco's football association (FRMF) said its appeal sought only to uphold competition rules, not undermine Senegal's performance.
Reactions from players and officials
Senegal's players expressed defiance on social media. Ismaila Sarr posted crying-laughter emojis, while El Hadji Malick Diouf shared a celebratory image with the caption "Champions, speak up!" Morocco's coach at the time, Walid Regragui, called Senegal's walk-off "shameful" and unworthy of African football. Fifa president Gianni Infantino condemned the "ugly scenes" in an Instagram post.
Senegal's coach Pape Thiaw, whose post-match press conference was cancelled after a disturbance, later admitted his decision to withdraw the team was impulsive.
Aftermath and broader impact
Morocco parted ways with Regragui on 5 March, months before the 2026 World Cup. The decision to overturn the result has sparked debate, with journalist Maher Mezahi noting it cannot erase the emotional impact of Senegal's on-field triumph.
"We cannot erase the final 16 minutes of that match and what we saw."
Maher Mezahi, North African football journalist
The controversy has raised questions about the consistency of disciplinary actions in African football and the balance between upholding rules and recognising sporting achievements.
