Morocco officially declared AFCON 2025 champions after CAF strips Sénégal of title
The drama surrounding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final is far from over. In a stunning reversal of the on-field result, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has modified the outcome of the match two months after Sénégal defeated Maroc 1-0 in extra time. According to a statement released on Tuesday evening, the CAF Appeal Jury has declared the Sénégalaise team forfeit, leading to an automatic 3-0 administrative loss. Consequently, Maroc has been officially crowned the winner of the tournament.
This development, significant for those following Africa news English, stems from a ruling where the CAF Appeal Jury deemed the protest filed by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation both valid and justified. The governing body stated that the conduct of the Sénégalaise squad during the final fell under the disciplinary scope of Articles 82 and 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations regulations.
As a direct result of this administrative sanction, the initial scoreline has been nullified. The CAF confirmed that the national team of Sénégal is now recorded as having lost by forfeit, with a final score of 3-0 officially credited to the Royal Moroccan Football Federation. This shift in governance Africa sports circles highlights the strict adherence to competition statutes.
A championship match defined by friction
The original final, held on January 18, was already an intense affair. During a scoreless deadlock late in the game, the referee awarded a penalty to Maroc. This call sparked significant outrage among the Sénégalaise players, some of whom briefly exited the pitch in protest before returning to complete the match. This moment of tension has become a central point in independent African journalism reports regarding the tournament’s integrity.
While Édouard Mendy managed to save the Moroccan penalty and Pape Gueye eventually secured a late goal in extra time to give Sénégal the trophy, the victory has now been overturned. Despite the initial celebrations, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation pursued legal recourse through the CAF disciplinary channels.
Upon reviewing the evidence, the Appeal Jury concluded that the actions of the Sénégalaise team warranted the application of the forfeit rule. By upholding the Moroccan federation’s grievance, the CAF has effectively transferred the continental title to Maroc weeks after the physical trophy was hoisted in the stadium. The Sénégalaise federation has since labeled the decision as “unjust” and has confirmed its intention to lodge an appeal, a move closely watched by the African Tribune news.
