CAF strips Senegal of Africa Cup of Nations title, declares Morocco champions
Senegal's Sadio Mane holds the trophy as they celebrate after winning the Africa Cup of Nations at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, Morocco on January 18, 2026.
Morocco have been declared Africa Cup of Nations champions after their appeal to the Confederation of African Football’s disciplinary committee over the result of January's final was upheld, African football's governing body said on Tuesday.
Morocco lost the match in Rabat 1-0 to Senegal after extra time, but not before Senegal had staged a walk-off after having a penalty awarded against them near the end of regulation time.
Morocco's defender #2 Achraf Hakimi (left) celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's first goal during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 group F football match between Morocco and DR Congo at Stade Laurent Pokou in San Pedro on January 21, 2024.
The match resumed after the walk-off with Senegal scoring in extra time, but CAF's Appeal Board decided that Senegal had forfeited the match, with the result now being recorded as 3–0 in favour of Morocco.
CAF’s disciplinary board had rejected Morocco’s initial protest, but the appeal board found in their favour, with the decision announced late on Tuesday.
Senegal's Sadio Mane lifts the trophy with teammates as they celebrate after winning the Africa Cup of Nations at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, Morocco on January 18, 2026.
It said the conduct of the Senegal team fell “within the scope of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations”, which state that “if, for any reason whatsoever, a team refuses to play or leaves the ground before the regular end of the match without the authorisation of the referee, it shall be considered the loser and shall be eliminated for good from the current competition”.
Senegal stormed off the field in protest at a penalty awarded against them near the end of the 90 minutes of regulation time, following a VAR check by Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala after Brahim Diaz had been tugged to the ground by Senegal fullback El Hadji Malick Diouf while defending a corner five minutes into stoppage time.
Morocco's Brahim Diaz reacts after missing a penalty against Senegal during CAF Africa Cup of Nations final at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, Morocco on January 18, 2026.
Officials and players jostled with each other while the referee consulted the touchline screen, and when he made his decision, Senegal walked off.
They returned to beat hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time and win the Africa Cup of Nations amid farcical scenes.
Senegal coach Pape Bouna Thiaw ordered his players off, and it was talisman Sadio Mane who persuaded them to return.
Senegal coach Pape Thiaw during the press conference in Rabat, Morocco, on January 17, 2026. Amr Abdallah Dalsh
Thiaw was later suspended, although only for matches in the next Cup of Nations qualifiers, which start after the World Cup in June, for which both Morocco and Senegal have qualified.
Tuesday’s decision means Morocco are crowned African champions for the second time, 50 years after they won the Cup of Nations for the first time.
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