CAF Officially Names Morocco As Winners Of 2025 AFCON

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially named Morocco as the winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations following a controversial decision to overturn the original final result.

Checks on CAF’s official website on Monday showed Morocco listed as champions of the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025, with Senegal now recorded as runners-up.

The development follows a ruling delivered on March 18 by CAF’s Appeals Board, which nullified the outcome of the January 18 final played in Rabat.

Senegal had initially secured a 1-0 victory over Morocco after extra time, with Pape Gueye scoring the decisive goal.

However, the match was marred by controversy after Senegalese players briefly walked off the pitch in protest against a stoppage-time penalty awarded to Morocco.

CAF ruled that Senegal’s actions during the chaotic closing moments of the match constituted a breach of regulations.

The Appeals Board invoked Article 84 of the AFCON Regulations, declaring the match forfeited and awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory.

In a statement, the continental body said, “The Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match… with the result of the Match being recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football.”

The decision hands Morocco their second Africa Cup of Nations title.

The ruling has generated widespread debate across the football community, with critics arguing that it undermines the outcome decided on the pitch.

Senegal’s football federation has rejected the decision and confirmed plans to challenge it at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

CAF President, Patrice Motsepe, defended the decision-making process, insisting that fairness and adherence to regulations guided the outcome.

He emphasised that no country would receive preferential treatment, stressing the importance of protecting the integrity of the competition.