The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has welcomed a landmark decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to declare Morocco winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
In a move that has sent shockwaves through African football, the CAF Appeals Committee overturned the original final result, stripping Senegal of the title following their controversial walk-off during the showpiece event in Rabat.
The final, held on Moroccan soil, originally ended in a dramatic victory for Senegal. After Morocco missed a high-stakes penalty that could have sealed the match, Pape Gueye struck in extra time to spark wild celebrations for the Teranga Lions.
However, the match was marred by a brief walk-off by the Senegalese squad, who were protesting what they perceived as unfair officiating.
While they eventually returned to lift the trophy, CAF has now ruled that the act of leaving the field constituted a forfeiture.
In a statement, the FRMF expressed its satisfaction with the ruling, framing it as a victory for the integrity of the sport.
“The Royal Moroccan Football Federation announces that it welcomes and appreciates this decision, as it reinforces respect for regulations and ensures the necessary stability for the proper conduct of international competitions,” the statement read.
Moroccan officials emphasised that they remained committed to the legal process even when the initial result went against them.
They argued that their participation in all disciplinary sessions was a testament to their “discipline to follow due procedure”.
Despite the administrative drama that followed the final whistle, the Federation praised the quality of the tournament as a whole.
They described the 2025 edition as a “significant milestone” in the continental game and thanked all participating nations for their role in the event’s success.
The decision officially hands Morocco their second AFCON title, their first since 1976, marking a historic moment for the Atlas Lions on home turf.
For Senegal, the ruling represents a bitter conclusion to their campaign, with the Dakar-based federation expected to review their legal options in the coming days.
