Morocco Awarded AFCON Title After CAF Overturns Senegal Win

Morocco have been officially crowned Africa Cup of Nations champions after the Confederation of African Football Appeal Board overturned Senegal’s victory in the final following a controversial decision.

The ruling comes after Senegal were found to have breached competition regulations by walking off the pitch in protest during a crucial moment late in the game. As a result, their win has been annulled and the match has been recorded as a 3-0 victory in favour of Morocco.

The incident occurred during stoppage time of the final when referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty after a VAR review of a challenge by Malick Diouf on Brahim Díaz. The decision triggered strong reactions from the Senegal bench, with head coach Pape Thiaw instructing his players to leave the pitch.

The situation escalated after Senegal had earlier seen a late goal disallowed, further intensifying frustration among players and officials. The team remained off the field for approximately 16 minutes before returning to resume play.

Upon restart, Brahim Díaz stepped up to take the penalty but saw his Panenka attempt saved by Édouard Mendy, sending the match into extra time. Senegal eventually secured a 1-0 win through a goal from Pape Gueye.

However, Morocco’s football governing body, Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football, filed an appeal challenging both the outcome and the circumstances surrounding the interruption.

Following its review, the Confederation of African Football Appeal Board ruled that Senegal’s temporary walk-off constituted a violation of tournament rules, leading to the forfeiture of the match.

The decision reverses the original result and officially awards Morocco the AFCON title, bringing a dramatic conclusion to one of the most controversial finals in the competition’s history.