The Confederation of African Football (CAF) issued a statement this Tuesday announcing that Senegal had forfeited the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final 3-0 by default, due to abandoning the field. Thus, Morocco, who had been defeated in the decisive match, was declared the winner of the competition two months later.
The Africa Cup of Nations final was played on January 14th. Unhappy with a penalty awarded to Morocco in stoppage time, when the game was tied at 0-0, the Senegalese players left the pitch and went to the locker rooms in protest. However, they returned to the field and Brahim Díaz missed the penalty with a failed Panenka attempt. In extra time, Pape Gueye scored the winning goal for Senegal.
CAF had initially confirmed Senegal’s title, but the Moroccan Federation appealed that decision, an appeal that has now been accepted.
It should also be noted that, in addition to the 3-0 defeat, and also as a consequence of abandoning the field, the Senegalese coach, Pape Thiaw, was suspended for five games, and both federations were also punished with hefty monetary penalties.