Senegal Players Respond After CAF Awards AFCON Title to Morocco
· YEN.com.gh News · Join- CAF has overturned the 2025 AFCON final result, awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory and stripping Senegal of the title
- The decision came nearly two months after a match marked by a controversial penalty and a temporary walk-off
- Reactions from the Senegal squad on social media highlighted frustration over what is an unprecedented ruling
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A number of Senegal players expressed frustration and disbelief after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) overturned their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) victory in a historic and unprecedented decision.
The ruling was made in accordance with the continental football body's competition regulations, effectively nullifying the dramatic on-field result that had originally crowned the Teranga Lions as champions.
Source: Getty Images
On Tuesday night, March 17, on CAF's official website, Morocco were officially declared the 2025 AFCON champions, 58 days after suffering a dramatic 1-0 defeat to Senegal in the final.
The match had been mired in controversy, following a contentious second-half stoppage time penalty after Brahim Diaz was judged to have been fouled by Senegalese defender El Hadji Malick Diouf.
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The decision sparked immediate protest, with Teranga Lions coach Pape Thiaw instructing his players to leave the pitch, leading to a tense 16-minute delay before captain Sadio Mané persuaded his teammates to return and continue the match.
Morocco’s penalty, taken by Diaz himself, was ultimately saved by goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, and Senegal went on to secure the win on the night.
According to the BBC, Senegal secured the title thanks to a spectacular moment from midfielder Pape Gueye.
Deep into extra time, in the 94th minute, he unleashed a powerful long-range strike that rocketed past the Moroccan defence and into the net.
However, CAF’s ruling on Tuesday nullified the final result against Morocco, effectively stripping Senegal of the title they had celebrated for nearly two months.
Source: Getty Images
Senegal players react to AFCON final verdict
The decision prompted strong reactions from Senegalese players on social media.
Midfielder Habib Diarra, who plays for Sunderland AFC in the Premier League, shared three pictures of himself with the AFCON trophy and a video from Senegal’s seven-hour open-top bus parade through Dakar, expressing the pride they had felt.
Pathe Ciss, currently with Rayo Vallecano, posted an image of himself holding the trophy with five laughing-face emojis, conveying a mix of disbelief and frustration.
Toulouse midfielder Pape Demba Diop was even more direct, writing on his Instagram story:
“I think we’re in a madhouse.”
Defender Moussa Niakhate, who plays for Olympique Lyonnais, also shared his reaction, posting three pictures - including one with the trophy - captioned:
“This is not AI. This is real,” highlighting the surreal nature of the ruling.
Articles used to strip Senegal's AFCON title
In explaining its verdict, the CAF Appeal Board said its decision relied on Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations.
Article 82 is given as follows:
''If, for any reason whatsoever, a team withdraws from the competition or does not report for a match, or refuses to play or leaves the ground before the regular end of the match without the authorisation of the referee, it shall be considered looser and shall be eliminated for good from the current competition. The same shall apply for the teams previously disqualified by decision of CAF.''
Article 84 is also provided in full below.
''The team which contravenes the provisions of articles 82 and 83 shall be eliminated for good from the competition. This team will lose its match by 3-0 unless the opponent has scored a more advantageous result at the time when the match was interrupted, in this case this score will be maintained. The Organising Committee may adopt further measures.''
Meanwhile, it remains to be known what Senegal's next line of action would be.
2025 AFCON award winners
Earlier, YEN.com.gh also reported on the full list of 2025 AFCON winners, featuring Senegal's Sadio Mane, who was the best player.
With Senegal currently denied the trophy after CAF's controversial decision, an individual prize would mean little for the ex-Liverpool star.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh