The Senegalese Football Federation has expressed frustration following a ruling by the Confederation of African Football Appeal Board that confirmed Senegal forfeited the final of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 against Morocco.
The decision officially awarded Morocco a 3–0 victory, confirming them as African champions under tournament regulations, a verdict that has proved difficult for Senegal to accept.
In the immediate aftermath of the announcement, the federation responded on social media by sharing a video on its official Facebook page showing players celebrating the title with supporters during an open-top bus parade. The footage, taken during post-final celebrations, appeared to underline the team’s belief in their on-field victory and their attachment to the trophy.
While the reaction reflected clear dissatisfaction, the process surrounding the case is not yet fully concluded.
Senegal has been given a 10-day window from the date of CAF’s decision to lodge an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the highest authority in global sports disputes.
Any appeal submitted to CAS would represent the final legal avenue available to challenge the ruling. A decision by the Switzerland-based tribunal would be binding and cannot be appealed further, effectively bringing the matter to a definitive conclusion.
For now, however, CAF’s verdict remains in force, with Morocco officially recognised as the winners of AFCON 2025 following the Appeal Board’s findings.
The coming days are expected to be critical for the Senegalese Football Federation as it considers its next step. The organisation must decide whether to escalate the matter to CAS in an attempt to overturn the decision or accept the outcome as it stands.
The case has drawn significant attention within African football, highlighting the tension between decisions made through regulatory processes and those determined on the field of play.
Senegal’s reaction, particularly the publication of celebratory footage, suggests a strong emotional and symbolic connection to the title, even as the official record now reflects a different outcome.
Whether the federation proceeds with an appeal could shape not only the final outcome of the dispute but also set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future.
Until then, the situation remains unresolved in the eyes of Senegal, even as CAF’s ruling continues to stand.
