BY OSABUOHIEN VIVIAN-ROSE
Morocco have officially been declared champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeal Board overturned the original result of the final against Senegal.
The decision follows dramatic scenes during the final in Rabat, where Senegal’s players briefly walked off the pitch in protest after a late VAR decision awarded Morocco a penalty. CAF later ruled that the action constituted a breach of tournament regulations, awarding Morocco a 3–0 victory by forfeit.
In a statement released by CAF, the Appeal Board confirmed that the appeal filed by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) had been accepted and that the earlier ruling by the CAF Disciplinary Board had been set aside.
“The appeal lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football is declared admissible and upheld,” the statement said. “In application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations, the Senegal national team is declared to have forfeited the final match, with the result recorded as 3–0 in favour of Morocco.”
The controversy began late in stoppage time when Morocco’s Brahim Díaz went down in the penalty area. Although the referee initially waved play on, a VAR review later resulted in a penalty being awarded to the hosts.
The decision sparked protests from the Senegal bench, with head coach Pape Thiaw instructing his players to leave the pitch. The protest lasted several minutes before the players eventually returned to continue the match.
CAF ruled that Senegal’s temporary walk-off violated Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations, which deal with team conduct and forfeiture of matches.
Despite the disruption, the game resumed and Morocco’s Brahim Díaz missed the resulting penalty, attempting a Panenka that was easily saved. With the match still goalless, the final went into extra time, where Papa Gueye scored what appeared to be the winning goal for Senegal.
However, following Morocco’s appeal, CAF determined that Senegal’s earlier conduct warranted disciplinary action, leading to the match being officially recorded as a 3–0 victory for Morocco and handing the hosts the continental title.
The ruling brings a dramatic end to one of the most controversial finals in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations.
