Morocco Crowned AFCON 2025 Champions After CAF Overturn Senegal Victory

Morocco have been crowned champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeal Board overturned the original final result, stripping Senegal of their 1–0 extra-time victory and awarding the title to the host nation following a match marred by controversy, a temporary walk-off and subsequent disciplinary rulings.

The original final, played between Morocco and Senegal, had been settled by a late extra-time winner from Pape Gueye, seemingly handing Senegal their second continental crown.

However, the match had already descended into chaos during normal time.

Senegal players left the pitch in protest after Morocco were awarded a penalty following a VAR intervention a decision that compounded earlier frustration when a goal from Ismaïla Sarr was disallowed without a VAR review.

The situation escalated when Senegal manager Pape Thiaw appeared to instruct his players to walk off the field.

The team retreated to the tunnel and remained there for approximately 15 minutes before returning, reportedly at the urging of captain Sadio Mané.

When play resumed, Brahim Díaz missed the resulting penalty, allowing the match to proceed to extra time, where Senegal ultimately secured victory on the pitch.

CAF’s Appeal Board later reviewed the events and ruled that Senegal’s temporary withdrawal constituted a breach serious enough to overturn the result.

The governing body awarded the match to Morocco, reportedly by a 3–0 margin, thereby granting the hosts their second AFCON title and first since 1976.

The ruling was accompanied by several disciplinary decisions.

A $100,000 fine previously issued to Morocco midfielder Ismael Saibari for alleged unsporting behaviour was set aside, while his suspension was reduced from three matches to two.

CAF also addressed off-field incidents, including reports that ball boys attempted to remove towels belonging to Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

While Morocco were deemed responsible for the actions of their ball boys, the fine imposed on the federation was reduced to $50,000.

A separate $100,000 fine for misconduct related to crowding the VAR review area was upheld.

The decision means Senegal have been stripped of what would have been only their second AFCON title, having previously won the tournament in 2021.

For Morocco, the ruling delivers a historic triumph on home soil albeit one that will remain heavily debated.

Opinion

There is no way to separate this decision from the wider perception problem that already surrounds the Africa Cup of Nations.

While the facts of the case are clear in terms of CAF’s ruling, the optics are deeply troubling.

A host nation benefiting from multiple contentious decisions, an opposition walk-off, and a retrospective administrative victory months later is the kind of sequence that inevitably invites accusations of bias whether justified or not.

Many supporters will simply not acknowledge Morocco as legitimate winners.

That is not necessarily a legal argument, but it is a powerful reflection of how football is consumed and remembered.

Matches are supposed to be decided on the pitch, and in this case, Senegal did exactly that.

Overturning such a result after the fact risks undermining the competitive integrity of the tournament.

AFCON’s Ongoing Perception Challenge

This controversy also feeds into an existing narrative that African football is treated differently on the global stage.

The Africa Cup of Nations has long battled for equal recognition alongside competitions such as the European Championship and Copa América.

Comments from figures like Jamie Carragher, who suggested AFCON does not carry the same weight as other major tournaments in discussions around awards like the Ballon d’Or, already reflect a perception gap.

Although widely criticised, those views persist in parts of the European football ecosystem.

Incidents like this risk reinforcing those attitudes.

The combination of disputed VAR decisions, unusual match incidents such as ball boys interfering, a mid-game walk-off, and a delayed administrative reversal creates a spectacle that can be framed as disorder rather than drama.

There is a fine line between the passion and unpredictability that make AFCON compelling and narratives that portray it as lacking seriousness.

Governance Under the Spotlight

That framing matters.

AFCON consistently showcases elite talent, high-level competition and moments of genuine footballing excellence.

Yet controversies of this scale provide ammunition for those who seek to diminish its standing.

The danger is not just reputational for CAF, but for the players and nations whose achievements risk being overshadowed.

None of this negates the fact that rules must be enforced.

Senegal’s decision to leave the pitch, even temporarily, gave CAF grounds to act.

Governing bodies cannot allow matches to be disrupted without consequence.

However, the proportionality and timing of that response are what will continue to be debated.

Ultimately, this episode highlights a broader challenge.

For AFCON to command the respect it deserves globally, its governance must be beyond reproach.

Decisions must not only be fair but also be seen to be fair.

In this case, regardless of the legal justification, that standard will be questioned for a long time to come.