CAF Officially Declares Morocco As 2025 AFCON Champions

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially named Morocco as the winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations following a controversial overturning of the original final result. According to official CAF communications, Morocco is now recorded as champions of the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025, with Senegal listed as runners-up.

The decision comes after CAF’s Appeals Board ruled on March 18 to nullify the outcome of the January 18 final in Rabat. Senegal had initially defeated Morocco 1-0 in extra time, courtesy of a decisive goal by Pape Gueye. However, the match was overshadowed by controversy when Senegalese players briefly left the field in protest over a stoppage-time penalty awarded to Morocco.

CAF determined that Senegal’s actions violated competition regulations. Invoking Article 84 of the AFCON Regulations, the Appeals Board declared the match forfeited, recording a 3-0 victory in favour of Morocco. 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.”

This ruling grants Morocco their second Africa Cup of Nations title. The decision has sparked extensive debate within the football community, with critics suggesting it undermines the outcome decided on the field. Senegal’s football federation has rejected the ruling and confirmed intentions to appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe defended the process, stressing that the decision was guided by fairness and adherence to regulations. He emphasised that no nation would receive preferential treatment, highlighting the need to preserve the integrity of the competition.