Trophy GV during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations AFCON final match between Senegal and Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco on 18 January 2026 ©Weam Mostafa/BackpagePix
Wednesday Mar 18, 2026. 08:49
African football has sunk to new lows after Senegal were stripped of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title following an appeal by the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF).
The AFCON 2025 final descended into chaos after the Lions of Teranga walked off the pitch in second-half stoppage time in protest of the referee’s decision to award Morocco a penalty.
The match was delayed for 16 minutes before Sadio Mane persuaded his team-mates to come back on and they then watched Brahim Diaz attempt a Paneka which was saved by Edouard Mendy.
Pape Thiaw’s side went on to score the winner in extra time through Pape Gueye as they lifted the trophy for the second time in their history.
However, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeal Board ruled on Tuesday that Senegal “forfeited” their title and the Atlas Lions have now been crowed champions.
A statement from African football’s governing body read: “The CAF Appeal Board decided that in application of Article 84 of the regulations… the Senegal national team is declared to have forfeited the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations with the result of the match being recorded as 3-0 in favour of [Morocco].
“All other motions or prayers for relief are dismissed.”
The FRMF welcomed CAF’s decision, saying: “The Federation wishes to recall that its approach has never been intended to challenge the sporting performance of the teams participating in this competition, but solely to request the application of the competition’s regulations.
“The Federation reaffirms its commitment to respecting the rules, ensuring clarity in the competitive framework, and maintaining stability within African competitions.
“It also wishes to commend all the nations that took part in this edition of the AFCON, which has been a major moment for African football. The Federation will make an official statement tomorrow, after convening its governing bodies.”