Afcon 2025: Morocco Declared Winners After CAF Overturns Final Defeat to Senegal Morocco has been officially declared the winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) reversed the result of the final following Senegal’s controversial walk-off. The original match, held on 18 January, saw Senegal defeat Morocco 1-0 in a game marred by dramatic events. The Senegalese team walked off the pitch after being awarded a stoppage-time penalty with the score at 0-0, leading to a 17-minute delay before returning. Brahim Diaz’s penalty was saved, and Pape Gueye scored an extra-time winner, securing Senegal’s second title in five years. However, the result was overturned by CAF’s appeal board, which ruled Senegal had forfeited the match. The decision followed an appeal by the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), which argued that Senegal’s actions violated CAF regulations. A statement from CAF declared Senegal had “forfeited the final match” and recorded the result as a 3-0 victory for Morocco. The ruling cited Article 82 of the Africa Cup of Nations regulations, which states that a team refusing to play without the referee’s authorization is deemed the loser and eliminated from the competition. Article 84 further penalizes such violations by permanently barring the team from future competitions and awarding the match to the opposing side. The FRMF emphasized that its appeal was not aimed at challenging Senegal’s sporting performance but at enforcing the competition’s rules. The federation praised the participation of all nations in the tournament, calling it a “major moment for African football.” Meanwhile, football journalist Maher Mezahi noted that the overturned result could not erase the emotional impact of the match for fans, including the joy of Senegal’s players celebrating their victory.#morocco #senegal #pape_thiaw #caf #frmf
Morocco awarded Africa Cup of Nations title after Senegal's final forfeit The Confederation of African Football (CAF) overturned Senegal's victory in the Africa Cup of Nations final, awarding the title to Morocco after ruling the West African nation had forfeited the match. The decision came after an appeals board reviewed the chaotic conclusion of the January 18 final in Rabat, where Senegal players left the field in protest during stoppage time. The ruling declared Senegal's 1-0 win in extra time invalid, granting Morocco a 3-0 default victory. The match, which ended in controversy, saw Senegal's apparent go-ahead goal disallowed minutes before a penalty was awarded to Morocco. TV replays showed minimal contact by Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi, leading to the controversial stoppage-time penalty. Morocco's Brahim Díaz missed the spot kick with a slow chip shot, known as a "Panenka," which was saved by Senegal's goalkeeper Édouard Mendy. Senegal then scored the only goal in extra time, but the result was later overturned. CAF initially imposed fines and bans on Senegal and Morocco players and officials following a disciplinary hearing but left the match outcome unchanged. Senegal's coach, Pape Thiaw, defended the team's actions, while players like Moussa Niakhaté and El Hadji Malick Diouf expressed frustration on social media, with Niakhaté posting an image of himself holding the trophy and Diouf stating the trophy "isn't going anywhere." The Moroccan Football Federation emphasized its commitment to following competition rules, stating its actions were aimed at ensuring regulatory compliance rather than challenging sporting performance. The federation also praised the tournament's participants, calling it a significant moment for African football.#morocco #senegal #confederation_of_african_football #caf #edouard_mendy
