Morocco national football team have been officially declared winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after the Confederation of African Football overturned the result of their final defeat to Senegal national football team following a controversial incident during the match.

Senegal had initially been crowned champions after edging Morocco 1-0 in the final played on January 18. The match, however, was overshadowed by a dramatic moment late in regulation time when Morocco were awarded a stoppage-time penalty with the score still level.

READ MORE : Otto Addo names Ghana squad for Austria and Germany friendlies; Asare only local player, Ayew omitted

In protest, Senegalese players briefly left the pitch, halting proceedings for about 17 minutes. After intervention, they returned to continue the match. Brahim Diaz stepped up to take the penalty but saw his effort saved. The game eventually went into extra time, where Pape Gueye scored what appeared to be the winning goal for Senegal.

READ MORE : “I am really proud to play for Ghana” – Derrick Arthur Köhn on Ghana call-up

Following the match, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation lodged an official protest, which CAF later confirmed was admissible and subsequently upheld after a detailed review.

In its ruling, CAF stated that Senegal, “through the conduct of its team,” breached Article 82 of the Africa Cup of Nations regulations. The governing body further noted that this violation triggered the application of Article 84.

According to Article 82, any team that refuses to continue play or leaves the field before the end of regulation time without the referee’s approval is considered to have lost the match and is subject to elimination. Article 84 reinforces this by stipulating that such a team forfeits the match and it is awarded as a 3-0 victory to the opposing side.

READ MORE : Otto Addo names Ghana squad for Austria and Germany friendlies; Asare only local player, Ayew omitted

Based on these provisions, CAF ruled that Senegal forfeited the final, with the result officially recorded as a 3-0 win in favour of Morocco.

The decision brings a dramatic and controversial end to the tournament, with Morocco now confirmed as AFCON 2025 champions following one of the most disputed finals in recent memory.

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has announced its decision to appeal disciplinary sanctions handed down by the Confederation of African Football in the final against Senegal.

Morocco lost in extra-time through Papa Gueye goal but there was a 14-minute stoppage disruption followed a walk-off by Senegalese players after referee Jean-Jacques Ndala disallowed their goal and subsequently awarded Morocco a penalty, triggering a pitch invasion by supporters and confrontations involving players and match officials.

In the end, CAF’s Disciplinary Committee imposed heavy sanctions, including a five-match ban and a $100,000 fine on Senegal coach Pape Thiaw. Senegal’s football federation was also fined $615,000 for the conduct of players and fans, while Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr received two-match bans for unsporting behaviour toward the referee.

READ MORE :MTN FA Cup R16 : Kotoko, Aduana set for showdown, others feature.

Morocco were not spared. CAF rejected their request to overturn the match result and imposed fines totalling $315,000, citing misconduct by players, staff, and supporters. Captain Achraf Hakimi received a two-match ban, one suspended for a year, while Ismael Saibari was banned for three games, following an incident involving Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

READ MORE : Exclusive : Maxwell Abbey Quaye seals move to Saudi club, Al Jeel

The FRMF said they will appeal the sanctions.

The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has imposed a series of disciplinary sanctions on the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) and the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) following incidents that occurred during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 final.

In a statement published on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, CAF confirmed that its Disciplinary Board reviewed reports from the final and found multiple violations of the CAF Disciplinary Code involving players, officials, and supporters from both nations.

READ MORE : CAF Hands Heavy Sanctions to Senegal and Morocco After AFCON 2025 Final Incidents

Sanctions Against Senegal

The CAF Disciplinary Board issued several punishments to the Senegalese Football Federation, targeting both individuals and the federation itself.

Senegal head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw was handed a five-match suspension from official CAF competitions for unsporting conduct deemed to have brought the game into disrepute. He was also fined USD 100,000.

Two Senegalese players, Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr, were each suspended for two CAF matches for unsporting behaviour directed at match officials.

CAF further fined the FSF a total of USD 615,000, broken down into penalties for improper supporter conduct, unsporting behaviour by players and technical staff, and team misconduct following the accumulation of five cautions during the match.

READ MORE : Exclusive : Richardson Takyi joins Inter Ibiza

Sanctions Against Morocco

The Moroccan Football Federation was also sanctioned following a series of incidents during the final.

Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi received a two-match suspension, with one match suspended for a probationary period of one year, for unsporting behaviour. Midfielder Ismaël Saibari was suspended for three CAF matches and fined USD 100,000.

CAF imposed additional fines on the FRMF, including USD 200,000 for the inappropriate conduct of stadium ball boys, USD 100,000 for the invasion of the VAR review area by players and officials, and USD 15,000 for the use of laser pointers by supporters.

READ MORE : Breaking News : Kasim Mingle joins Swedru All Blacks as headcoach

Protest Rejected

CAF also addressed a formal protest submitted by the Moroccan Football Federation, which alleged violations by Senegal under Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON Regulations. After review, the Disciplinary Board rejected the protest, ruling that it lacked sufficient grounds.

The sanctions underscore CAF’s commitment to enforcing discipline, fair play, and integrity, particularly during high-profile matches such as the Africa Cup of Nations final.