The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially declared Morocco winners of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) following a dramatic ruling by its Appeals Board, overturning the on-field outcome of the final against Senegal.
The decision stems from a tense moment during the final match when Senegal’s players briefly walked off the pitch in protest. The protest was triggered by contentious refereeing calls, including a disallowed stoppage-time goal and a late penalty awarded to Morocco. Although Senegal returned to complete the match and secured victory on the field, CAF determined that the temporary walk-off constituted a breach of tournament regulations.
Citing Article 82, CAF stated that any team that abandons a match without the referee’s consent is considered to have lost. Article 84 further enforces that such violations result in a 3–0 forfeit defeat.
As a result, CAF has ruled that Senegal forfeited the match, with the final officially recorded as a 3–0 win in favor of Morocco. The ruling means Morocco are now recognized as AFCON champions, with key players such as Achraf Hakimi, Brahim Díaz, and Yassine Bounou credited with the title.
For Senegal, the decision strips stars like Sadio Mané of the trophy in official records, despite their performance on the pitch.
The controversy may not be over, as Senegal is expected to challenge the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
While CAF’s verdict aligns with its regulations, the decision has sparked widespread debate among fans, many of whom argue that the outcome on the field should have stood.
By Frank Asorba Kofi Essuman.
