By Gran Chico | March 17, 2026
In a stunning and unprecedented decision, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has stripped Senegal of the 2025 AFCON title and officially awarded it to Morocco.
The ruling, delivered by CAF’s Appeal Board, overturns Senegal’s 1-0 extra-time victory and instead records the final as a 3-0 forfeit win in favour of Morocco.
The controversial final, played on January 18, 2026, at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, descended into chaos late in normal time.
With the match still goalless, referee Jean Jacques Ndala Ngambo disallowed a Senegal goal for a foul on Achraf Hakimi. Moments later, VAR awarded Morocco a penalty after a challenge on Brahim Díaz.
Senegal players, under coach Pape Thiaw, walked off the pitch in protest, halting the match for nearly 15 minutes in scenes that sparked chaos, including attempts by fans to invade the pitch.
Although the players later returned—reportedly convinced by Sadio Mané—and went on to win the match in extra time, CAF has now ruled that the walk-off constituted a violation of tournament regulations.
According to CAF, Senegal breached rules that prohibit teams from leaving the field without the referee’s authorization, leading to an automatic forfeiture under competition statutes.
This decision hands Morocco their first AFCON title since 1976, rewriting the tournament’s history in dramatic fashion.
Senegal’s Football Federation has strongly condemned the ruling, with Secretary General Abdoulaye Seydou Sow describing it as:
“A shame for Africa and a decision with no legal basis.”
Senegal has confirmed plans to appeal the verdict at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), a process that could take months to resolve.
The decision has sparked widespread debate across the football world, raising concerns about governance, consistency in rule enforcement, and the authority of referees during matches.
While Morocco celebrate a historic triumph on home soil, the controversy surrounding the ruling is likely to cast a long shadow over African football for years to come.
