Morocco Crowned AFCON 2025 Champions After CAF Overturns Final Result

Morocco national football team have been officially declared winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after Confederation of African Football (CAF) overturned the result of the final against Senegal national football team.

Senegal had originally won the final 1-0 on 18 January, with Pape Gueye scoring the decisive goal in extra time. The match, however, was marred by controversy after Senegal’s players temporarily refused to continue play when Morocco were awarded a stoppage-time penalty while the score was still level.

Following a delay of around 17 minutes, the match resumed, and Brahim Díaz saw his penalty saved before Senegal went on to secure victory.

CAF has now ruled that Senegal forfeited the match due to their conduct, awarding Morocco a 3-0 win under the competition’s regulations.

In a statement, CAF said Senegal had violated Article 82 of the Africa Cup of Nations rules, which states that a team that refuses to play or leaves the field without the referee’s permission is considered to have lost the match. Article 84 further stipulates that such a violation results in a 3-0 defeat.

The decision followed an appeal by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), which CAF confirmed was admissible and upheld.

Morocco’s federation said the appeal was not intended to challenge Senegal’s on-field performance but to ensure proper enforcement of tournament regulations.

The Senegalese Football Federation has strongly rejected the ruling, describing it as “unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable,” and confirmed it will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Despite the official reversal, the decision has sparked debate across the football world. Senegal’s players had already celebrated their victory publicly, including a parade with the trophy, highlighting the emotional weight of the original result.