AFCON 2025: Any implications for Senegal after finals drama?
Since Monday, Senegal began the celebration of their victory at the AFCON 2025 with a triumphal return to the Blaise Diagne International Airport in Diamniadio. The Lions won the competition against Morocco, last Sunday at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, after late-game incidents. CAF has already opened investigations, the Moroccan Federation has placed a complaint to CAF and sanctions could fall in the coming days.
Philemon MBALE · Author profile ·
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At the end of the match, the Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ngambo Ndala awarded a penalty to Morocco after the foul by El Hadji Malick Diouf on Brahim Diaz. This decision aroused the anger of the Senegalese who had been unjustly deprived, according to them, of a goal. The Senegalese supporters are unleashed, the Lions' bench in this case, coach Pape Thiaw, called on his players to return to the locker room. This gesture could be very expensive for the Senegalese technician but also for the Senegal national team.
Can Senegal be stripped off its title win in 2025?
This is one of the consequences that could arise from the fact that Senegal left the field before the match and returned afterwards to finish the final. Returning to the match was a wise choice. Since in the 94th minute, Pape Gueye fired a shot, scored and offered victory to his country. The match thus went to its conclusion, a key element.
If the festivities are in full swing throughout Senegal after this second victory in the African Cup of Nations, Senegal could be removed from the trophy. It’s a hypothesis. Moreover, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has filed an appeal with the CAF regarding the withdrawal of the Senegalese team from the field in violation of Article 82, Chapter 35, of the competition regulations of the CAF.
"If, for any reason, a team withdraws from the competition or fails to show up for a match, or refuses to play or leaves the field before the regulatory end of the match without the referee’s authorization, she will be considered a loser and will be permanently eliminated from the current competition. The same applies to teams previously disqualified by a decision of the CAF."
we read.
Senegal took a huge risk by leaving the field in the final. This act could lead to serious consequences, including the match lost by forfeiture. As a result, Morocco could be crowned African champion in place of Sadio Mané and his partners. The next few days promise to be very eventful.