Morocco Declared Winners After CAF Reversal
In a stunning turn of events, Morocco has been officially named the champion of the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) overturned the result of the final match. This decision comes in the wake of a controversial moment when the Senegalese team temporarily abandoned the field during the final held on January 18 in Rabat, which had seen Senegal lead 1-0 at the time.
The match had been fraught with tension, culminating in a penalty awarded to Morocco in the dying moments of regulation time. Following the referee's call, the Senegalese players refused to resume play, leading to a significant delay of approximately 17 minutes. Eventually, the players returned to the field, but not before Moroccan forward Brahim Díaz's penalty was saved by Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. Shortly thereafter, Pape Gueye scored in extra time, securing what appeared to be Senegal's victory.
However, the CAF's appeal court subsequently ruled that Senegal had “lost by default” in the final, with the match result now officially recorded as 3-0 in favor of Morocco. This ruling stemmed from an appeal lodged by the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), which was deemed “admissible in form” by the CAF. The governing body cited Senegal's failure to comply with the match regulations, specifically Article 82, which states that any team refusing to play or abandoning the pitch without the referee's permission is considered a loser and eliminated from the competition.
In light of this ruling, the FRMF reaffirmed its commitment to uphold the rules and ensure clarity in competitive frameworks while expressing appreciation for all nations that participated in this significant edition of AFCON. The Senegalese Football Federation has yet to comment publicly on the decision; however, a video shared on their social media showcased players celebrating with the trophy, suggesting mixed feelings within the team.
Emotional Impact of the Match
Prominent North African football journalist Maher Mezahi commented on the situation, emphasizing that the emotional impacts of the match cannot simply be erased. He noted, “We cannot erase the last 16 minutes of that game and what we witnessed,” highlighting that the experiences of seeing Senegal lift the trophy and the subsequent celebrations are indelible memories for fans and players alike.
The match itself was marked by a pivotal moment when referee Jean Jacques Ndala awarded a penalty to Morocco in the eighth minute of stoppage time. Following a VAR review of an incident involving Senegal's defender El Hadji Malick Diouf, Senegal's coach Pape Thiaw ordered his players to leave the field in protest. While some players, including star forward Sadio Mané, attempted to stay on the pitch, the team ultimately withdrew. After a lengthy delay, Senegal returned, but the momentum had shifted. Díaz's penalty was thwarted, and shortly thereafter, Gueye scored, leading to Senegal's initial claim of victory.
In the aftermath of the final, Morocco made the decision to part ways with coach Walid Regragui, just four months ahead of the World Cup. The fallout from the match has sparked discussions not only about the regulations governing the tournament but also about the broader implications for African football and its governance.
As reported by bbc.com.
