The Confederation of African Football (CAF) have announced that Senegal have been sacked as Champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025), with Morocco declared as winners, Soccernet.ng reports.
The AFCON 2025 ended two months ago, but the drama from that competition has definitely not ended.
The African showpiece, though hosted in the best of facilities in Morocco, was riddled with officiating inconsistencies, and other controversies, especially in games involving the hosts.
But it was eventually laid bare in the final. Senegal were denied a goal late in the game, as referee Jean-Jacques Ndala wrongfully blew his whistle for what he deemed a foul just before Idrissa Gueye put the ball in the Atlas Lions' net.
While the Senegalese were incensed, the entire atmosphere eventually caught fire after Morocco were awarded a penalty late in the game. After a VAR review, El Hadj Malick Diouf was adjudged to have fouled Brahim Diaz when a corner-kick was played into the box.
That caused fights in the stands, with some fans getting injured in the process. Then, the Senegalese players walked off the pitch. The match was paused for 15 minutes, after which the Teranga Lions returned to the pitch to continue.
Unfortunately for Morocco, Diaz, who took charge of the penalty duty, decided to try a panenka which was well read and saved by Edouard Mendy. That eventually forced the game into extra-time.
That was when Senegal killed the game off, as Villarreal star Pape Gueye scored to ensure it ended 1-0 to the West African giants.
Morocco Awarded AFCON 2025 As CAF Rules Petition in Their Favour
In the aftermath of the loss to Senegal, Morocco petitioned CAF over the irregularities that occurred during the final. And today, the African football governing body revealed its findings after an inquiry.
In its statement, CAF stated that Senegal were found to have breached Article 82 of the AFCON regulations and would be punished in accordance with Article 84.
“The CAF Appeal Board decided that in application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 (“the Match”), with the result of the Match being recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).”
With this ruling, Senegal are no longer Champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025). Morocco are now the new Champions of CAF's flagship competition.
Asides from the AFCON 2025 title swing, there were other important rulings in CAF's communique.
Morocco winger Ismaël Saibari has been banned for two games for his behavior in the final, when he tried to steal Benjamin Mendy's towel. Earlier he was handed a $100,000 fine, but that has now been reversed.
Also, Morocco have been fined $50,000 for the ball boys stealing Mendy's towel. They also get to pay $100,000 for interfering with OFR/VAR review area in the final. In addition, they will pay $10,000 for the use of lasers.
The news of Senegal's sack will definitely cause an uproar in the African football scene, and it is left to be seen how the drama will unfold in the coming days.
