By Our Reporter
The Confederation of African Football has officially updated its records to recognise Morocco as champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
A check on CAF’s official website shows Morocco listed as winners of the TotalEnergies AFCON 2025, with Senegal recorded as runners-up, while Nigeria finished third.
The update follows a March 18 ruling by CAF’s Appeals Board, which overturned the on-field result of the final played on January 18 in Rabat.
Senegal had initially secured a 1-0 victory after extra time, with midfielder Pape Gueye scoring the decisive goal. However, the match was marred by controversy, including a brief walk-off by Senegalese players protesting a stoppage-time penalty awarded to Morocco.
In its ruling, the Appeals Board held that Senegal’s actions amounted to a forfeit under Article 84 of the AFCON regulations, leading to the match being officially recorded as a 3-0 victory in favour of Morocco.
CAF, in a statement, confirmed the decision, declaring that Senegal forfeited the final, thereby awarding Morocco their second continental title.
The decision has since generated widespread debate, with critics arguing that it undermines the outcome determined on the pitch.
Senegal’s football federation has rejected the ruling and announced plans to challenge it at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, a process that could take several months.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe defended the decision, insisting that the governing body remains committed to fairness and the enforcement of its regulations without favour.
