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Senegal have flatly refused to give back the Africa Cup of Nations trophy after CAF stripped them of the title 58 days after the final and awarded the crown to Morocco instead.
CAF Detonates a Post-Final Shockwave
African football was rocked on Tuesday when the Confederation of African Football overturned the result of the AFCON final and ruled that Morocco should be handed a 3-0 win by forfeit.
The move came after Morocco lodged an official complaint over the chaotic closing stages of the final in Rabat, where Senegal players walked off in protest after an injury-time penalty was awarded against them.
That penalty, a Panenka effort from Brahim Diaz, was saved by Edouard Mendy after Senegal eventually returned to the pitch. The match then rolled into extra-time, where Pape Gueye scored the winner in what Senegal believed was a famous 1-0 triumph.
CAF’s appeals body has now decided that Senegal’s actions breached Article 82 of its regulations, wiping out the win and rewriting the result long after the medals had been handed out.
Senegal Dig in and Threaten Legal Action
The Senegalese Football Federation reacted with fury and said it will challenge the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne.
In a strongly-worded statement, the federation called the decision unjust, unprecedented and unacceptable, arguing that it damages the credibility of African football.
FSF secretary general Abdoulaye Sow went even further, accusing CAF of corruption and insisting the trophy will stay in Senegal while the federation fights the case.
That stance will go down well with Senegal supporters, who watched their team win the match on the pitch and now see the title being removed in a boardroom. For the average fan, it is the kind of twist that makes the sport feel less like football and more like paperwork with shin pads.
Players Fire Back Online
Senegal’s players did not exactly take the decision quietly.
Idrissa Gana Gueye posted a defiant message on Instagram, saying trophies and medals are fleeting but the dignity of the Senegalese people remains.
West Ham full-back El Hadji Malick Diouf was blunter, writing: “The trophy is won on the pitch, not by email. Goodnight.”
Habib Diarra, Pathe Ciss and other members of the squad also shared images of themselves with the trophy, making it clear they still view themselves as champions regardless of CAF’s ruling.
The message from the dressing room was simple enough: you can change the paperwork, but you cannot erase what happened that night.
A Final That Spiralled into Chaos
The final itself had already become one of the most controversial in AFCON history before this latest chapter.
In the 98th minute, Senegal’s players left the field in protest after the penalty decision. They stayed off for around 17 minutes, with confusion spreading through the stadium and supporters reportedly trying to get onto the pitch.
Sadio Mane is said to have played a part in convincing the team to return, allowing the game to resume. Mendy’s penalty save then shifted the mood again before Senegal finally grabbed the winner in extra-time.
Morocco later appealed, and CAF has now backed that complaint in dramatic fashion.
Morocco Welcomes the Ruling
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation took a more measured tone after the decision, saying its aim was never to diminish the performances of teams in the tournament but to ensure the competition rules were applied.
It also praised the teams involved in the tournament and said it remains committed to clarity and stability in African competitions.
CAF also ruled on a series of related disciplinary matters, dismissing one fine against Morocco’s Ismael Saibari, reducing a suspension and cutting a sanction linked to ballboys. A separate appeal over interference in the VAR area was rejected, with a $100,000 fine left in place.
What Comes Next
Senegal’s next move is expected to be a formal appeal to CAS, which means this saga is not close to finished.
So for now, African football is left in a deeply awkward spot: Morocco have been handed the title, Senegal still have the trophy, and plenty of fans across the continent are wondering how a tournament final can be settled nearly two months after full-time.
That is a mess no medal ceremony can tidy up.
