By Adedapo Adesanya

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has condemned the “unacceptable behaviour of some players and officials” during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Final between Morocco and Senegal in Rabat last night.

Senegal won the tournament in the Moroccan capital on Sunday night courtesy of a lone goal in the 94th minute of extra-time by Villarreal midfielder Pape Gueye, but the talking point was Senegal’s walkout from the field before returning and securing the championship after Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded a penalty to Morocco after a 14-minute delay following VAR check.

The penalty was awarded for an adjudged foul by Senegal fullback El Hadji Malick, who tugged Morocco’s Brahim Diaz to the ground while defending a corner five minutes into stoppage time.

The decision was not welcomed by Senegalese coach Page Bouna Thiaw who ordered his players off. However, Senegalese legend Sadio Mane persuaded Senegal to bring the team back onto the field and after their return, Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy stopped the weak penalty by Brahim Diaz.

Without clearly alluding the event, CAF strongly condemned “any inappropriate behaviour which occurs during matches, especially those targeting the refereeing team or match organizers.”

It added that it is reviewing all footage and will refer the matter to competent bodies for appropriate action to be taken against those found guilty.

The defeat marked continuity in Morocco’s poor performance in the tournament, who last won it around 50 years ago, whereas, it solidifies Senegal’s growing potential as it has won twice in the last three editions.

In his post-match news conference, Morocco coach Walid Regragui said Senegal’s actions were “shameful” and do not “honour Africa”.

Also, the President of the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA), Mr Gianni Infantino strongly condemned the “ugly scenes” in a post on Instagram.

“It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this manner, and equally, violence cannot be tolerated in our sport, it is simply not right”, adding the decisions taken by the match officials must always be respected, “because anything less puts the very essence of football at risk”.

Mr Infantino said what happened “must be condemned and never repeated”, and it is the responsibility of teams and players to set the right example.

“I reiterated that they have no place in football and I expect that the relevant disciplinary bodies at CAF will take the appropriate measures,” he added.

Meanwhile, Senegal’s coach Thiaw had his media briefing cancelled after a ruckus broke out in the press room with pro-Moroccan journalists protesting his actions.

In an interview with BeIN Sport, he claimed that he should not have ordered his team off the field following the call.

“We didn’t agree,” he said. “I don’t want to go over all the incidents. I apologise for the football. After reflecting on it I made them come back [on the pitch] – you can react in the heat of the moment. We accept the errors of the referee.

“We shouldn’t have done it but it’s done and now we present our apologies to football.”

By Adedapo Adesanya

Senegal beat hosts Morocco in extra time to win the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Sunday in a controversial game that saw the West Africans storm off the field in protest at a penalty awarded against them in the last minute of play.

Midfielder Pape Gueye netted the only goal of the game in 94th-minute after Morocco’s player Brahim Diaz squandered the chance to win it for the home side by fluffing the last-gasp penalty in normal time following a 14-minute delay.

The game had evened out until a last minute spot-kick was awarded to the hosts, leading Senegal coach Pape Bouna Thiaw to order his players off.

However, former Liverpool forward, Sadio Mane, persuaded them to return and eventually won the tournament.

The penalty was awarded following a VAR check by Congolese referee, Jean-Jacques Ndala, after Diaz had been tugged to the ground by Senegal full back, El Hadji Malick Diouf.

Despite the walk out, the penalty stood but upon returning to the pitch, Diaz tried a Panenka-style chip and his weak penalty sailed tamely into the arms of Senegal goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy.

Gueye’s powerful shot gave Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou no chance, handing Morocco their first defeat in 27 international games.

Morocco will have to wait to win the coveted trophy which it has not won in almost 50 years with the loss to Senegal.

Senegal will add to its last titles won in the 2021 edition.

Before the award presentation, President of the Confederations of African Football (CAF), Mr Patrice Motsepe, presented the host flag to the joint host of the next edition in 2027 slated for Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Morocco won the Fair Play Award, Moroccan and Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia Goalkeeper Bounou won the Golden Glove for his exemplary saves and clean sheet records, a sad Diaz won the Golden Boot scoring five goals in the tournament, and an ecstatic Sadio Mane won the Man of the Tournament award.

On Saturday, Nigeria defeated Egypt 4-2 on penalties to win the third-place match after both sides failed to break the deadlock in 90 minutes.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Super Falcons of Nigeria have been drawn in Group C with Egypt, Zambia and Malawi for the defence of their Women’s’ Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in March, which will be hosted again in Morocco.

Last year, the Nigerian team won the record 10th tournament after defeating the host nation, Morocco, 3-2 in a spectacular final after going down 2-0.

The 2026 edition will be played in Morocco from March 17-April 3, eight months after the last tournament.

The last edition slated for 2024 was postponed by a year for logistical reasons as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) could not get interested hosts.

The next edition which will be the 14th edition and Nigeria will be hoping to win the women’s tournament for the 11th time.

Nigeria’s dominance is only rivalled by Equatorial Guinea which won as hosts of the 2008 and 2012 editions. South Africa won the 2022 edition to become the third African nation to ever win the tournament.

The next edition carries added importance because it serves as qualifying for next year’s Women’s World Cup, with the top four finishers taking up Africa’s slots in the global tournament to be hosted by Brazil.

GROUPS

Group A (Rabat Moulay Hassan Stadium): Morocco, Algeria, Senegal, Kenya,

Group B (Rabat Al Madina Stadium): South Africa, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Tanzania

Group C (Casablanca): Nigeria, Zambia, Egypt, Malawi

Group D (Fes): Ghana, Cameroon, Mali, Cape Verde.