CAF Updates AFCON 2025 Records, Confirms Morocco national football team As Champions
Gatekeepers News reports that the Confederation of African Football has officially revised its records to recognise the Morocco national football team as winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with the Senegal national football team now listed as runners-up.
The update follows a ruling by CAF’s Appeals Board on March 18, which overturned the on-field outcome of the January 18 final played in Rabat. A check of CAF’s website on Monday shows Morocco recorded as champions of the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025, while Nigeria remain in third place.
The decision hands Morocco their second AFCON title — and their first since 1976. 🏆
Controversial Final
The final, held at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, ended in controversy after a series of disputed incidents late in the match.
After 90 minutes ended goalless, tensions rose deep into stoppage time when the referee awarded Morocco a penalty following a VAR review for a foul on Brahim Díaz by Senegal’s El Hadji Malick Diouf.
Earlier in stoppage time, Senegal had a goal ruled out after the referee judged there had been a foul in the build-up — a decision that prevented further VAR review and sparked protests from Senegal’s players and technical staff.
In response, Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw instructed his players to leave the pitch in protest, leading to a temporary suspension of the match. Reports also indicated clashes among fans and disruptions in the press area during the stoppage.
Senegal captain Sadio Mané later convinced his teammates to return, allowing play to resume.
The penalty awarded to Morocco was eventually saved by Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy.
Appeal Changes Outcome
The match continued into extra time, where Pape Gueye scored in the 94th minute to give Senegal a 1–0 lead. Senegal went on to celebrate what appeared to be a historic victory and believed they had secured their second AFCON title.
However, Morocco’s football federation immediately filed a protest, alleging a breach of tournament rules.
CAF’s Appeals Board upheld the complaint, ruling that Senegal’s temporary walk-off violated Article 82 of the competition regulations. Under Article 84, such an offence results in an automatic 3–0 forfeiture.
In its official statement, CAF said, “The Senegal national team is declared to have forfeited the final, with the result of the match being recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation.”
Reaction And Next Steps
The ruling has triggered widespread debate across the football community. The Senegalese football federation described the decision as “unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable,” adding that it “brings discredit to African football.”
The federation also announced plans to challenge the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Meanwhile, Moroccan authorities and supporters have welcomed the decision, arguing that it simply enforces the tournament’s regulations.
The controversy has also renewed criticism of officiating standards during the final, with many observers describing the refereeing as poor. The case stands out as one of the most unusual endings to a major international football tournament, coming months after the match had already been played and celebrated.
