The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has awarded the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title to Morocco, following the annulment of Senegal's victory in the final. The decision, made by the CAF Appeal Board on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, stems from events that transpired during the final match on January 18 in Rabat.
The match was disrupted for approximately 20 minutes when Senegalese players left the field to protest a penalty awarded to Morocco after a VAR review. Despite the return of the Senegalese players, encouraged by Sadio Mané, and their eventual victory in extra time, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) appealed to CAF, arguing that the Senegalese players' departure constituted a forfeit.
The CAF Appeal Board ruled in favor of Morocco, citing Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations, which penalize a team for leaving the field before the end of the match. Consequently, Senegal was declared to have forfeited the match, and the result was recorded as a 3-0 victory for Morocco. Senegalese coach Pape Thiaw, already suspended for five matches, now sees his record tarnished by the affair.
The decision has sparked mixed reactions among African football fans. Some believe that CAF should have prioritized the result on the field, where Senegal won, while others support the strict application of the regulations. Whether the governing body of African football made the right decision in stripping Senegal of the title remains to be seen.
Beyond the loss of the title, this case could have long-term consequences for CAF's jurisprudence regarding match incidents. Federations will now need to exercise caution before considering a walk-off, with the precedent of the 2025 AFCON final serving as a reference.
