Stunning decision: Senegal disqualified, Morocco awarded the victory of the Africa Cup 2026

Stunning decision: the winner of the Africa Cup changes. Two months after the final won on the field by Senegal against the host nation Morocco, the Appeals Committee of the African Football Confederation has accepted Morocco's appeal, disqualifying Senegal, which had temporarily abandoned the field in protest - all except for player Mané - after a highly controversial penalty awarded to the Maghreb team in stoppage time.

The decision catches everyone by surprise. In fact, the disciplinary committee had expressed a negative opinion against Morocco's appeal. Now the Appeals body overturns the ruling. Here is the official statement: "The Appeals Committee of the Confédération Africaine de Football has decided today that, in accordance with Article 84 of the Caf Africa Cup of Nations Regulations, the national team of Senegal is declared to have lost the final match of the Total Energies Caf Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, with a score of 3-0 in favor of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football."

Two months ago, the Africa Cup final was decided in extra time, with a goal from Pape Gueye, midfielder for Villarreal. Before that, everything had happened: at the end of the 90 minutes of regular time, the referee awarded a very dubious penalty in favor of Morocco, for a slight hold on Brahim Diaz, the local hero. The coach of Senegal, furious, ordered the team to return to the locker room. For about 15 confused minutes, everyone left the field, except for striker Sadio Mané, who patiently convinced his teammates to return. Until today, the story was told like this: Mané saved Senegal from certain disqualification. Two months later, the story has turned upside down.