Morocco Awarded 2025 AFCON Title After CAF Decision | Bounou Reacts
The landscape of African football dramatically shifted on , as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) overturned the result of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final. Morocco has been declared the winner, despite losing the match on the pitch to Senegal .
The stunning reversal stems from Senegal’s controversial walk-off during the final, which they initially won 1-0 in extra time after a goal from Pape Gueye. The initial scoreline followed a goalless regulation time and a penalty shootout where Brahim Diaz’s penalty was saved. However, the match was marred by protest when the hosts, Morocco, were awarded a stoppage-time penalty, prompting the Senegalese players to leave the field.
CAF’s appeal board ruled that Senegal had “declared to have forfeited the final match,” with the result officially recorded as a 3-0 victory for Morocco. The decision is based on Article 82 of the Africa Cup of Nations regulations, which states that a team refusing to play or leaving the pitch without the referee’s authorization is considered the loser. Article 84 was then applied as a consequence.
The Senegalese Football Federation has vehemently protested the decision, announcing its intention to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. They have labeled the ruling as “an unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable decision which brings discredit to African football.”
The reaction within Morocco has been one of surprise and elation. Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, speaking after an Al-Hilal match against Al-Ahli, expressed his joy, stating, “Frankly, it’s news that arrived very late, but as a Moroccan and a player of the national team who lived through this difficult moment, you can only be happy.” His comments were reported by Hmanyahsports, approximately two months after the contested match.
This decision marks a significant moment in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations. Senegal’s initial victory in 2025 would have been their second Afcon title, following their triumph in 2021. The overturning of that result not only hands the championship to Morocco but also raises serious questions about the conduct expected of teams during international competition and the authority of CAF in enforcing its regulations.
The controversy surrounding the penalty decision that triggered the walk-off remains central to the dispute. While details of the penalty call itself haven’t been extensively detailed in available reports, it was clearly contentious enough to lead Senegal to abandon the match. The application of Article 82, which effectively penalizes a team for refusing to continue play, underscores CAF’s commitment to maintaining order and completing matches according to the rules.
The upcoming press conference scheduled by the Senegalese Football Federation on is expected to provide further insight into their perspective and the grounds for their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The outcome of that appeal will be crucial in determining the finality of CAF’s decision and its long-term implications for the tournament.
Morocco’s victory, achieved not on the field but through an appeal process, is undoubtedly bittersweet. While the team and its supporters will celebrate the championship, the circumstances surrounding the win are likely to cast a shadow over the achievement. The incident highlights the increasing pressures and complexities of modern international football, where on-field action is often intertwined with off-field disputes and administrative rulings.
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, hosted by Morocco, was already notable for breaking digital records, with 6 billion views recorded. This latest development will undoubtedly add another layer of intrigue and discussion to the tournament’s legacy. The focus now shifts to the legal proceedings and the potential for further ramifications within the African football community.
Looking ahead, the CAF is also preparing for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The events surrounding the 2025 final will likely prompt a review of tournament regulations and protocols to prevent similar controversies in the future. The governing body will be keen to ensure that the integrity of the competition is maintained and that all teams adhere to the established rules of conduct.