In a massive shock to African football, the CAF Appeal Board has officially overturned the result of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Final. Morocco has been crowned champions after Senegal was declared to have forfeited the match.
The ruling, announced on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, follows a detailed investigation into the events of the final held in Rabat on January 18, 2026.
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The Ruling: 3–0 Victory for Morocco
The CAF Appeal Board invoked Article 84 of the AFCON Regulations to strip Senegal of their on-field victory:
Forfeiture Declared: The board ruled that Senegal's actions during the final constituted a match abandonment.
The Final Score: Senegal’s initial 1-0 win has been nullified. The match is now officially recorded as a 3–0 victory in favor of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).
Historical Milestone: This marks Morocco's second AFCON title and their first since 1976.
What Triggered the Forfeit?
The controversy stems from the final minutes of normal time when the score was locked at 0–0:
Stoppage-Time Penalty: Referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded a penalty to Morocco in the 8th minute of added time following a VAR review.
The Protest: Senegal players, led by coach Pape Thiaw, walked off the pitch in protest of the decision.
17-Minute Delay: Although the team eventually returned and Édouard Mendy saved the penalty, CAF determined that the initial walk-off violated the tournament's strict non-abandonment rules.
The "Panenka" Miss: Brahim Díaz missed the spot-kick, and Senegal went on to score the "winner" in extra time through Pape Gueye—a goal that has now been wiped from the records.
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