Morocco have officially been crowned champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) overturned the initial result of the final against Senegal.
The match, played on 18 January, originally ended in a 1–0 victory for Senegal. However, it was marked by controversy when Senegalese players temporarily refused to continue play after a stoppage-time penalty was awarded to Morocco while the score was still level.
After a delay of approximately 17 minutes, the game resumed. Morocco’s penalty, taken by Brahim Díaz, was saved, and Senegal later secured victory through an extra-time goal from Pape Gueye.
Following a formal appeal by the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), CAF’s appeal board reviewed the incident and ruled that Senegal’s actions constituted a breach of tournament regulations. As a result, Senegal were deemed to have forfeited the match, which has now been officially recorded as a 3–0 win in favour of Morocco.
According to CAF, Senegal violated Article 82 of the competition rules, which states that any team refusing to play or leaving the field without authorisation is considered to have lost the match. Article 84 further stipulates that such a violation results in disqualification and a 3–0 defeat.
The Senegalese Football Federation has strongly contested the decision, describing it as unfair and damaging to the reputation of African football. The body has announced plans to challenge the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
On the Moroccan side, the FRMF clarified that its appeal was not aimed at questioning Senegal’s on-field performance but rather at ensuring that competition rules were properly enforced. The federation also reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining fairness and consistency within African football.
Despite the official decision, reactions remain mixed. Senegalese players had already celebrated their victory publicly, including a parade with the trophy. Some players, such as Ismaïla Sarr and El Hadji Malick Diouf, reacted on social media following the announcement.
Football analyst Maher Mezahi noted that while the ruling changes the official outcome, it cannot erase the events witnessed on the pitch or the emotions experienced by players and supporters.
About the author
Norway Crown Princess’s Son Jailed for Rape
Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has been sentenced to four years in prison after being convicted on two counts of rape and several other criminal offences by the Oslo District Court. The 29-year-old was cleared of two additional rape charges but found guilty of multiple offences involving violence, abuse and reckless conduct. Høiby attended the verdict hearing via video link due to health-related reasons and was not physically present in the courtroom. Prosecutors had sought a prison sentence of seven years and seven months, while the defense argued for a significantly shorter term of 18 months. His legal team has indicated that an appeal is likely. The case has attracted widespread attention in Norway because of Høiby's close connection to the royal family. Although he holds no royal title, he was raised alongside members of […]
Russian Strikes Damage Kyiv Cathedral, Kill 11
At least 11 people have lost their lives following a series of Russian missile and drone strikes across Ukraine, including attacks that caused significant damage to Kyiv's historic Dormition Cathedral, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Four fatalities were reported in Kyiv after residential areas came under attack, while five emergency responders were killed in the northeastern city of Kharkiv while battling a blaze triggered by a strike. Ukrainian authorities said dozens of others were injured nationwide. The Dormition Cathedral, a landmark dating back to the 11th century and part of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastery complex, suffered extensive damage during the overnight assault. Zelensky described the attack as a serious blow to Ukraine's religious and cultural heritage. Images from the site showed a large breach in one section of the cathedral, with parts of the roof destroyed by fire. The […]
US-Iran Deal May Ease Global Economic Pressure
More than three months after the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran began, Washington and Tehran have reached a framework agreement aimed at reducing tensions and laying the groundwork for a longer-term resolution. A key component of the agreement is the planned reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important maritime trade routes. The waterway normally handles nearly 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, making it critical to international energy markets. The disruption of traffic through the strait since late February triggered sharp increases in global energy prices and raised concerns about supply shortages. While the new agreement has been welcomed by markets, shipping activity in the region remains limited, highlighting the challenges involved in restoring normal operations. Industry experts caution that a full recovery will take time. Hundreds of vessels […]
Paul Kagame en visite de travail à Lomé
Le président du Rwanda, Paul Kagame, est en visite de travail au Togo ce lundi, dans le cadre de la Convention et exposition africaines du transport aérien organisée à Lomé du 15 au 19 juin 2026. Au cours de son séjour, le dirigeant rwandais doit rencontrer le président du Conseil, Faure Gnassingbé. Les échanges entre les deux responsables porteront sur plusieurs sujets d'intérêt commun, notamment le renforcement des relations bilatérales et les perspectives de coopération entre leurs pays. Cette rencontre intervient à l'occasion d'un événement majeur consacré au développement du transport aérien sur le continent africain. Elle offre également aux deux dirigeants l'opportunité de discuter des enjeux économiques et stratégiques qui concernent l'Afrique, ainsi que des initiatives visant à soutenir l'intégration et la croissance du continent. Reconnu pour son engagement en faveur du développement économique et de la transformation de […]
AFR100 : jusqu’à 50 000 $ pour les projets verts
Les organisations togolaises impliquées dans la restauration des terres dégradées et la préservation des ressources naturelles ont désormais accès à un nouveau mécanisme de financement dans le cadre du programme AFR100, soutenu par l'Organisation des Nations unies pour l'alimentation et l'agriculture (FAO). L'initiative, lancée à travers le dispositif des Subventions Directes aux Bénéficiaires (Direct Beneficiary Grants), vise à accompagner les acteurs locaux engagés dans la protection de l'environnement et la gestion durable des écosystèmes. L'appel à projets est ouvert aux organisations communautaires, coopératives, associations de producteurs agricoles et forestiers, organisations non gouvernementales ainsi qu'aux structures dirigées par des femmes ou des jeunes opérant dans les zones d'intervention du programme. Les bénéficiaires pourront obtenir un financement compris entre 5 000 et 50 000 dollars pour mettre en œuvre diverses initiatives environnementales. Les projets éligibles concernent notamment le reboisement, l'agroforesterie, la conservation […]
BTP au Togo : les entreprises alertent sur leurs défis
Les acteurs du secteur du bâtiment et des travaux publics (BTP) au Togo ont mis en lumière les principales difficultés qui freinent le développement des entreprises nationales lors des premiers « Media Days » organisés récemment à Lomé par le Groupement National des Entrepreneurs du Bâtiment et des Travaux Publics du Togo (GNEBTP-Togo). Placée sous le thème « Le BTP au cœur du développement : comprendre pour mieux agir », cette rencontre a rassemblé entrepreneurs, ingénieurs, architectes, laboratoires techniques et représentants des médias. L'objectif était de mieux faire connaître les réalités d'un secteur stratégique qui joue un rôle essentiel dans la réalisation des infrastructures et dans les investissements publics du pays. Au cours des échanges, les professionnels ont souligné plusieurs obstacles majeurs, notamment la qualité insuffisante de certaines études techniques, les retards de paiement, les difficultés d'accès au financement bancaire, […]
Related
I miss Super Eagles — Troost-Ekong
Former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has said he misses playing for Nigeria and expressed deep regret over the team missing the 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico. In his retirement note from international football in December 2025, Troost-Ekong said: "This isn't a final goodbye. My work within the Nigerian communities continues, just as my love and passion for this team will never fade". The Al Kholood defender, who plays in Qatar's Stars League, explained that his decision to retire was to give younger players an opportunity to have more playing time. Speaking to beIN SPORTS, the AFCON silver medalist admitted that it is painful to miss two World Cups within four years, referring to Nigeria's failures in 2022 and 2026. Troost-Ekong made his senior international debut for the Super Eagles on June 13, 2015, […]
Congo DR target Ronaldo’s Portugal scalp in historic World Cup encounter
The Democratic Republic of Congo has sent a bold and daring message to Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as the Leopards prepare for their first World Cup appearance in 52 years facing Ronaldo's Portugal. DR Congo will open their 2026 World Cup campaign against Portugal on June 17 at Houston Stadium in Houston, Texas, with the match serving as a historic encounter between the African team and Ronaldo's squad. The Leopards qualified for their first World Cup since 1974 after defeating Jamaica in the intercontinental playoff final, marking a monumental achievement for the Congolese national team. Their management has warned that Cristiano Ronaldo will be in tears after the match, wanting him to start the 2026 World Cup the way he ended the 2022 edition in Qatar. DR Congo is drawn in Group K alongside Portugal, […]
Magical Messi equals World Cup goals record as Argentina win
Lionel Messi opened his record-breaking sixth World Cup with a stunning hat-trick as defending champions Argentina swept Algeria aside 3-0 in a Group I match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The three-goal performance took Messi's World Cup tally to 16, equaling German legend Miroslav Klose's all-time record for goals at World Cup tournaments. Messi scored his first goal in the 17th minute with a curling strike, before netting again in the second half from close range by gobbling up a rebound, which brought him to 16 goals and one shy of breaking the record held by Germany's Klose. With 16 goals, Messi joins West Germany's legendary Gerd Mueller and France superstar Kylian Mbappe as joint-third highest scorers in World Cup history, having already surpassed the 14 goals Mbappe netted in previous tournaments. Messi's achievement marks a historic moment in […]
Argentina and France start World Cup quests with high-stakes rematch
Argentina and France, two of the world's biggest football powers, will kick off their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaigns against each other in a highly anticipated rematch of the epic 2022 final. The two heavyweights met in the 2022 Qatar World Cup final, where Argentina won 4-2 on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw that required 30 minutes of extra time. Lionel Messi sealed his first World Cup title with two goals in that match, while Kylian Mbappé scored a hat-trick for France before the shootout. The match is now regarded as one of the most iconic World Cup finals in history, with 1.5 billion viewers worldwide watching Messi secure Argentina's third overall title. Argentina became the second team ever to win the tournament after losing their opening match, following Spain's route in 2010. This 2026 rematch comes at MetLife […]
France seek to banish 2002 ghost against Senegal’s Teranga Lions in New Jersey
France will face Senegal's Lions of Teranga at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on June 16 in a Group I match that brings back memories of one of the greatest World Cup upsets in history. The fixture immediately conjures the ghost of Seoul, where Senegal shocked the world by beating then-champion France 1-0 in their opening match at the 2002 World Cup. In the 30th minute of that match, Papa Bouba Diop scored after meeting El Hadji Diouf's cut-back, ripping off his shirt and sprinting to the corner flag as his teammates celebrated in a circle of pure joy. Senegal held firm for the 1-0 victory, and France went home in disgrace without scoring a single goal across the entire group stage. That night not only eliminated the holders but also rewrote the Senegalese football psyche, marking the start of […]
Serena Williams to play doubles with sister Venus at Wimbledon
Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Wimbledon, doubles tennis, Centre Court, sisters team up, tennis reunion, legendary players, Grand Slam, WTA, tennis brothers and sisters, sports news, Wimbledon 2026, tennis siblings, women's tennis Full contentSerena Williams will join her sister Venus Williams for a rare doubles match at Wimbledon, bringing together two of the most celebrated names in tennis history for a special reunion on the iconic Centre Court. Both sisters dominated the tennis world for decades, collectively winning 12 Wimbledon singles titles between 2000 and 2016—Venus with five and Serena with seven—while remaining close competitors and family allies. The pair previously teamed up to win the women’s doubles title at Wimbledon in 2000, defeating Ai Sugiyama and Julie Halard for the championship. Serena and Venus also won the gold medal in doubles at the London 2012 Olympics, successfully defending their doubles […]