CAF Overturns Senegal’s 2025 AFCON Win, Crowns Morocco Champions!

On January 18, 2025, the Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal produced a chaotic finish. Referee Jacques Ndala Ngambo awarded a late penalty while the score was 0-0. Senegal’s players left the field for about twenty minutes before returning to play.

Match events

Brahim Díaz stepped up to take the penalty. Édouard Mendy saved the shot. Pape Gueye then scored, and the on-field result stood as a 1-0 victory for Senegal.

The initial match report recorded those events without sanctioning the Senegalese team. The outcome appeared final for months.

Appeal and ruling

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation lodged an appeal with the CAF. The CAF Appeal Jury examined the final and the conduct of the Senegal squad.

On March 17, 2026, the jury applied articles 82 and 84 of the CAF AFCON regulations. It declared Senegal to have forfeited the final. The result was homologated as a 3-0 win for Morocco.

Legal basis and process

Article 82 addresses misconduct and competition rules. Article 84 allows a match to be awarded 3-0 by forfeit in specified cases. The appeal jury cited those provisions in its decision.

Consequences and reactions

The CAF overturns the on-field result, nullifying what had been recorded at full time. The ruling effectively erases Senegal’s 2025 AFCON win from the competition records.

The decision crowns Morocco champions by forfeit. This marks Morocco’s second Africa Cup of Nations title in official records.

Coverage and updates

Filmogaz.com notes the CAF announcement was published on March 17, 2026, and updated on March 18, 2026. The case may prompt further debate about regulations and match conduct.