Senegal Loses AFCON Title to Morocco in Thrilling Championship Match

CAF Strips Senegal of 2025 AFCON Title, Awards It to Morocco

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has made a significant decision in the aftermath of the January 18 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final between Senegal and Morocco. CAF has stripped Senegal of their title and awarded it to Morocco after reviewing an incident at the end of normal time in the match.

The incident occurred when Senegal players left the field in protest against refereeing decisions, leading to a 14-minute delay in the game. Morocco missed a subsequent penalty, which contributed to the protest and a pitch invasion by some fans. The match ultimately ended with Senegal winning 1-0 after extra time.

Senegal’s Football Federation (FSF) has announced plans to appeal CAF’s decision to the Appeals Board. This move may have far-reaching implications for African football and could take over a year to resolve. The FSF will likely challenge the decision, which was made two months after Morocco initially approached CAF with an appeal.

The incident that led to Senegal’s walk-off from the game has been widely reported. In the final minutes of stoppage time, Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded a penalty to Morocco, following a VAR review of a challenge on Morocco forward Brahim Diaz by El Hadji Malick Diouf. The Senegalese had already protested to the referee in the second minute of stoppage time about an Ibrahim Sarr goal they had ruled out for a foul.

As a result of the incident, Senegal’s coach and players were banned from African games, while Morocco was fined $200,000 for the behavior of its ball boys. The FSF was also fined over $1 million. Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko denounced the sentencing by Morocco on February 20.

The decision has sparked a reaction from FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who slammed Senegal’s walk-off after the final. Morocco is now set to pursue legal action with FIFA and CAF regarding the incident.

Source: Al Jazeera