Caf awards 2025 Afcon title to Morocco after overturning Senegal’s final win

Morocco have been declared winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after Caf ruled Senegal forfeited the final following a controversial walk-off during the match.

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has overturned Senegal’s 1-0 victory over Morocco in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, ruling that Senegal forfeited the match and awarding a 3-0 win to Morocco.

The decision follows an appeal by the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), which Caf said was admissible and upheld under tournament regulations.

In a statement, Caf said Senegal had been “declared to have forfeited the final match” with the “result of the match being recorded as 3-0 in favour” of Morocco.

The governing body said Senegal’s actions breached Article 82 of the Africa Cup of Nations regulations, which states that a team refusing to continue play or leaving the field without the referee’s permission is considered to have lost the match. Caf added that Article 84 mandates a 3-0 defeat and elimination in such cases.

The Senegalese Football Federation rejected the ruling and said it would appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, describing the decision as unjust.

“An unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable decision which brings discredit to African football.”

The final, played on January 18, had ended in a 1-0 win for Senegal after extra time, but was overshadowed by a late dispute that led to a temporary walk-off by Senegal’s players.

With the score at 0-0 deep into stoppage time, referee Jean Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty following a video assistant referee review of a challenge by Senegal defender El Hadji Malick Diouf on Brahim Diaz.

Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw, reacting to the decision and a prior disallowed goal for Ismaila Sarr, instructed his players to leave the field. Former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane remained on the pitch and urged teammates to continue.

After a delay of about 17 minutes, Senegal’s players returned and the penalty was taken by Diaz, whose attempt was saved by goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. The referee then signalled full-time.

Senegal secured victory in extra time when Pape Gueye scored in the fourth minute, sealing what was initially reported as their second Afcon title after their 2021 triumph.

The FRMF said its appeal was based on ensuring adherence to tournament rules rather than disputing on-field performance.

“The federation reaffirms its commitment to respecting the rules, ensuring clarity in the competitive framework, and maintaining stability within African competitions.”

The federation added that its action was “never intended to challenge the sporting performance of the teams” but to seek application of regulations.

Reactions to the incident were strong. Morocco coach Walid Regragui described Senegal’s conduct as “shameful” in post-match comments, while FIFA president Gianni Infantino condemned the scenes in a social media post.

Thiaw later acknowledged he should not have ordered the walk-off, saying he acted “in the heat of the moment,” according to a post-match interview. Details of the press conference were disrupted after an incident in the media room.

Despite the ruling, the outcome has not altered the events witnessed during the match, including Senegal’s celebrations after the final whistle. Earlier footage posted on the Senegal national team’s social media showed players celebrating with the trophy.

Morocco later parted ways with Regragui on March 5, according to the report, months before the World Cup finals. Details surrounding the decision were not immediately available.