The decision by the Confederation of African Football to overturn the 2025 AFCON final did not come out of nowhere. It followed a chaotic chain of events in Rabat that turned a showpiece match into one of the most controversial nights in African football.
On the pitch, the Senegal national football team had edged the final 1-0 against the hosts, Morocco national football team, after extra time. Off it, the match had already spiralled.
The decisive moment came deep into stoppage time with the score still goalless. Referee Jean-Jacques Ndala Ngambo was advised by VAR to review a challenge by El Hadji Malick Diouf on Brahim Díaz inside the penalty area. After consulting the monitor, he awarded a penalty.
The decision triggered immediate outrage from Senegal’s players, who were still aggrieved after having a goal ruled out moments earlier. Tensions spilled beyond the pitch as players and staff confronted each other on the touchline, with security struggling to separate large groups from both benches.
As the situation escalated, Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw instructed his players to leave the field in protest. Not all agreed. Sadio Mané attempted to convince teammates to continue, urging them to finish the match despite the controversy.
The walk-off led to a prolonged delay of more than 15 minutes, during which disorder spread in the stands. Senegal supporters clashed with security personnel, objects were thrown, and at least one stadium volunteer was carried off injured.
When play eventually resumed, the tension remained high. Edouard Mendy saved Díaz’s penalty, a moment that briefly reset the contest but did little to calm the atmosphere. Even then, disruptions continued, including repeated attempts by ball boys and members of Morocco’s bench to interfere with Mendy by removing his towel.
Extra time went ahead, and Senegal capitalised. Midfielder Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal, sealing what appeared to be a second continental title.
But the final whistle did not bring closure. Morocco head coach Walid Regragui confronted Thiaw on the pitch, criticising Senegal’s conduct and later stating that the scenes had damaged the image of African football.
The disorder extended into the media areas, where clashes between journalists from both countries forced the cancellation of the post-match press conference. Thiaw later apologised in a broadcast interview, admitting the walk-off had been a reaction “in the heat of the moment.”
In the days that followed, Morocco’s federation lodged an appeal, citing competition regulations that penalise teams for leaving the field without authorisation. CAF’s appeal board upheld that argument, ruling that Senegal had forfeited the match and awarding a 3-0 victory to Morocco.
The ruling transformed a dramatic final into a landmark case, shifting the outcome from the pitch to the regulatory framework.
Senegal are now expected to challenge the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, ensuring the fallout from that night in Rabat is far from over.
