Breaking News: CAF Strips Senegal of AFOCN Championship; Declares Morocco as Winners
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced Morocco as champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations following its ruling into the controversial grand final match which overturned Senegal's victory. Senegal defeated Morocco 1-0 in the final on January 18, 2026. The match was overshadowed by controversy when the Senegalese players briefly walked off the field to protest a stoppage-time penalty awarded to Morocco.
W. Roland James
Africa: The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced Morocco as champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations following its ruling on the controversial grand final match which overturned Senegal's victory.
Senegal defeated Morocco 1-0 in the final on January 18, 2026. The match was overshadowed by controversy when the Senegalese players briefly walked off the field to protest a stoppage-time penalty awarded to Morocco.
Following a delay of roughly 17 minutes, the Senegalese did return to the pitch. Brahim Diaz took the set piece for Morocco but was saved by Senegal's goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
Senegal later scored in the extra time through Pape Gueye and capitalized on it to win Morocco 1-0 in the grand final. After the match, the Moroccans filed a protest to CAF against Senegal's sportsmanship in the final.
Following months of investigation, CAF handed down a ruling on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in favor of Morocco. The African football governing body awarded Morocco 3 goals and stated that Senegal is declared to have forfeited the final.
The CAF through its Appeal Board said the decision was taken in line with Article 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
CAF statement reads: "The Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 (“the Match”), with the result of the Match being recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF)".
