Rabat – Reactions from Senegal have been tense and emotional after CAF officially awarded the AFCON 2025 title to Morocco, following the Appeal Board’s decision to rule the final as a forfeit.
Senegal defender Moussa Niakhate openly challenged CAF’s decision and refused to accept the outcome.
Speaking about the possibility of returning the trophy and medals, he said: “Come and take them! They’re crazy.”
His comments reflect the frustration inside the Senegal camp after CAF applied Article 84, which considers a team defeated if it abandons or disrupts a match.
The Appeal Board concluded that Senegal’s actions during the final, including leaving the pitch for around 15 minutes, directly affected the game and justified the forfeit decision.
As a result, Morocco were officially awarded a 3-0 victory and crowned champions.
Despite the ruling, Senegal figures continue to reject the outcome. Former head coach Aliou Cisse also reacted with disbelief.
He questioned the decision and suggested it was not real.
“What is this? Is this an April Fool’s joke?” Cissé said. “I don’t believe it. This can’t be true.”
The decision was seen as a correction of an earlier ruling that many viewed as too soft.
The initial sanctions against Senegal had sparked strong criticism, especially given the scale of disruption during the final.
CAF’s latest decision closes the case and confirms Morocco as the rightful winners of the tournament, based on official regulations.
While the reaction from Senegal shows clear anger, the rules remain clear. Leaving the pitch and interrupting a final at that level carries consequences.
For Morocco, the focus now shifts to celebrating a title that was earned on the pitch and confirmed by the regulations.
This episode, however, leaves behind one of the most controversial endings in AFCON history.
