TAFCON’s (African Cup of Nations) decision to take away the African Cup of Nations from Senegal and give it to Morocco caused a lot of backlash within the country.
The moment the players left the field in the final stoppage time, Senegal became losers of the trophy with a score of 3-0.
“The Senegalese national team was given a default in the final of the 2025 African Cup of Nations (CAF) in Morocco, with the result recorded as 3-0 in favor of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation,” AFCON said in a statement.
The night Senegal was furious after AFCON announced it would disqualify it from the Africa Cup and give it to Morocco.
A few minutes after the announcement, surprise turned to shock, then to anger.
Please come and get it
“If you talk about it, you’ll say something outrageous,” one of Senegal’s starting players in the Africa Cup of Nations declared to L’Equipe upon hearing the news.
Behind all this there are many shady deals, many behind-the-scenes agreements. I don’t think this is over yet, Senegal will get what it deserves at the end of this story
Olympique Lyon’s Moussa Niakhate posted a series of photos on social media of himself holding the African Cup of Nations trophy with the message: “Come and get it” (referring to the medal and the cup).
“This is not AI, this is real,” he said.
we are furious. On March 29th, there will be a meeting of the CAF (Confederation of African Football) Executive Committee, and World War III will begin.
“I think we are in a country of crazy people,” posted Toulouse player and Senegalese youth international Pape Demba Diop.
A Senegalese Football Federation official told L’Equipe: “We are furious. The CAF (Confederation of African Football) executive committee will meet on March 29 and it will be World War III.”Senegal midfielder Habib Diarra reacted to CAF’s decision by posting a photo of himself holding the trophy, along with lots of laughing emojis.
Claude Le Roy: “I’ve talked a lot about Infantino and he thinks he’s the Trump of African football”
Claude le Roy, who coached Senegal from 1990 to 1992, expressed anger at CAF’s decision to take the African Cup of Nations away from the Lions and give it to Morocco.
Unfortunately for this continent that I love so much, this decision will make the entire football world laugh.
“I never imagined for a moment that CAF would go down such an absurd path.CAF was founded by Patrice Motseppe, a vassal of Gianni Infantino (FIFA president) who had wanted to give the cup to Morocco from the beginning. “Looking at how CAF is run…Morocco had a great performance in the Africa Cup of Nations and deserved to win. But in the final, Senegal were better (1-0 in extra time),” said the 78-year-old coach.
Claude Le Roy, who won the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations with Cameroon, accused CAF of “ignoring all decisions of the referees. I have often spoken about Infantino. He considers himself the Trump of African football and thinks he has every right to run the finals.”
“In Africa, he thinks he can get away with this. Behind all this there are a lot of shady deals, a lot of behind-the-scenes deals. I don’t think this is over yet. At the end of this story Senegal will get what it deserves. It’s unfortunate for Mage. The appeals committee will be held and, depending on the decision, the CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) will intervene. But I think this decision will, unfortunately, make the whole football world laugh,” he said.
Pate Sis mocks Morocco and poses at Africa Cup of Nations: ‘Give the crybabies three more goals’
Rayo Vallecano midfielder Pate Sis posted several photos on social media of himself posing with his medal and African Cup of Nations title, sending a blunt message: “I don’t mind giving the crybabies three more goals.”
Senegal to appeal CAF’s decision to declare Morocco Women’s AFCON champions
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has announced that it will appeal the decision of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeals Committee that awarded Senegal a place in the last African Cup of Nations final and declared Morocco the winner.
“We condemn this unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable decision that discredits African football,” the FSF said in a statement.
“In order to protect the rights and interests of Senegalese football, the federation will appeal as soon as possible to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne,” the Senegalese football governing body said in Switzerland, following the decision announced by CAF on Tuesday.
Morocco’s statement of moderation after winning the African Cup of Nations
Meanwhile, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) adopted a moderate official position after it was announced that Morocco had won the African Cup of Nations.
“The FRMF would like to reiterate that its approach is not intended to question the sporting performance of the teams participating in this competition, but only to call for the application of the rules. The federation reaffirms its commitment to respect for the rules, clarity of the competition framework and stability of the African competition,” it said in a statement.
