Morocco national football team have been officially awarded the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title after Confederation of African Football overturned the original final result involving Senegal national football team. The decision came after a controversial sequence of events during the final, where Senegal’s actions led to disciplinary consequences under tournament regulations.
The original match, played on 18 January, saw Senegal initially claim a 1-0 victory after extra time. However, the game was marred by chaos late in regulation when Senegal players temporarily left the pitch in protest of a stoppage-time penalty awarded to Morocco while the score was still level.
Although the players eventually returned after a lengthy delay, the tension surrounding the incident overshadowed the remainder of the match. Brahim Díaz missed the crucial penalty, and Pape Gueye later scored the decisive goal in extra time, seemingly securing the trophy for Senegal.
Following a formal appeal by the Moroccan Football Federation, CAF’s review panel ruled that Senegal had breached competition rules. As a result, the governing body declared Senegal to have forfeited the match, awarding a 3-0 victory to Morocco in accordance with tournament regulations covering refusal to continue play.
Senegal’s federation has strongly rejected the ruling and confirmed plans to challenge the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, describing it as unjust and damaging to African football. Meanwhile, Moroccan officials maintained that their appeal was strictly about enforcing the rules rather than disputing the on-field performance.
Despite the administrative reversal, the emotional impact of the final remains complex. Senegal had already celebrated the win publicly, including a trophy parade, and many observers argue that those moments cannot be undone. The incident has sparked wider debate about discipline, officiating, and governance in African football, leaving a lasting mark on the tournament.
