The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has declared Morocco winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, stripping Senegal of the title following a controversial final.

In a ruling by its Appeal Board, CAF held that Senegal forfeited the match after walking off the pitch during the game, awarding Morocco a 3–0 victory.

The decision followed Morocco’s appeal over events that marred the final.

Senegal players had briefly left the field in protest after a late penalty decision was awarded to Morocco during regulation time.

Although the team later returned to the pitch—reportedly at the urging of captain Sadio Mané—and went on to win the match 1–0, CAF ruled that the initial walkout breached competition regulations.

According to CAF, the action violated provisions relating to refusal to play or abandonment of a match, as outlined under its disciplinary code.

Under AFCON rules, any team that leaves the field without authorisation or refuses to continue play is liable to forfeit the match and face elimination.

The ruling overturns the on-field result and hands Morocco the continental title, in what is expected to remain one of the most contentious decisions in AFCON history.