Fans react as Senegal stripped of 2025 AFCON title

Football fans across Africa and beyond have reacted with fury, disbelief, and jubilation after the Confederation of African Football sensationally stripped Senegal of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title and awarded it to Morocco.

The ruling, delivered by the CAF Appeal Board, overturned the original final result from January, when Senegal defeated tournament hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time in a chaotic and controversial encounter in Rabat.

The trouble began deep into stoppage time of a goalless final. Moroccan players screamed for a penalty. The referee initially waved play on, then pointed to the spot after a VAR review. Senegal's bench erupted. Players surrounded the officials. Coaches gestured wildly.

Then came the moment that would unravel everything: Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw ordered his players off the pitch. They retreated to the dressing room for some time, leaving the stadium in chaos.

When they finally returned, Brahim Diaz stepped up for Morocco and attempted a Panenka. Edouard Mendy barely moved to catch it. The miss deflated the hosts. Senegal struck in extra time through Pape Gueye and went on to lift the trophy.

CAF's Appeal Board saw things differently. Citing tournament regulations, they ruled that by leaving the field without the referee's authorisation, Senegal had effectively forfeited the match.

The result has now been recorded as a 3-0 victory for Morocco. The trophy is now expected to be relocated from Dakar to Rabat. Senegal's name has been removed from the record books as 2025 champions.

Unsurprisingly, the decision has split the football world.

Moroccan supporters have celebrated wildly, many insisting the rules were applied correctly.

But Senegalese fans and neutrals have cried foul.

Some pointed to the irony of Morocco escaping punishment despite laser pointers aimed at Senegalese players and ball boys accused of time-wasting.

Senegal retains the right to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Whether they pursue that path remains unclear, but the damage to the tournament's credibility may already be done.

For now, Morocco are officially Africa's champions for the first time since 1976. Senegal, who thought they had lifted the trophy in January, must watch as it slips through their fingers—not by a goal but by a rulebook.