Hakimi Reflects on the Tense AFCON Final
In a recent interview with Movistar, Moroccan football star Achraf Hakimi shared his thoughts on the tumultuous events that unfolded during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, where Morocco faced off against Senegal. Following Paris Saint-Germain's impressive 2-0 victory over Liverpool in the Champions League, Hakimi took the opportunity to address the tension that characterized the final match. He openly acknowledged that the incident involving towels on the pitch, which attracted significant criticism, did not reflect well on his team. ‘There are tough and stressful moments in football,’ Hakimi remarked, expressing his disappointment about the image they presented during those heated moments.
Despite the challenges faced during the match, Hakimi emphasized the respect Morocco maintained for their opponents and the overall integrity of the tournament. The 27-year-old defender praised his team's dedication and professionalism throughout the AFCON campaign, stating that they demonstrated commendable conduct on the field. He did not shy away from criticizing Senegal's decision to walk off the pitch during the final, which he believed was detrimental to the spirit of the game.
Morocco's Title Victory and the Aftermath
Hakimi expressed his support for the ruling made by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which awarded Morocco the AFCON title in light of Senegal's actions. He noted that safeguarding the integrity of African football was crucial, stating, ‘What happens now is being evaluated. We hope the decision serves the good of football and of Africa.’ The defender asserted that Morocco deserved the trophy not just for their performance throughout the tournament, but also due to the manner in which the final concluded. ‘We hope to win because we earned it,’ he added, reinforcing that leaving the pitch in such a way was unacceptable.
The final was marked by chaotic scenes, including a significant stoppage time after Senegal's unexpected walk-off. Furthermore, the match saw some Senegalese fans engaging in vandalism, attempting to storm the pitch and using seats as makeshift weapons against security personnel. In March, CAF's Appeal Board officially awarded the AFCON title to Morocco, citing that Senegal had violated tournament regulations. Although Senegal has appealed this decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), Morocco stands firm in its position, bolstered by documentation and evidence gathered during the final.
As reported by moroccoworldnews.com.
