Edi Umoh
As Confederation of African Football (CAF) ‘awarded’ the 2025 AFCON title to Morocco, the ruling has sharply divided opinions of football buffs across the world.
At the explosive encounter, Senegal beat Morocco 1-0 to win the coveted trophy in January 2026, though the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) has confirmed plans to challenge the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Earlier this week, CAF annulled Senegal’s 1–0 victory in the final, citing a breach of Articles 82 and 84 following the team’s walk-off in protest of a stoppage-time penalty decision.
The match was subsequently recorded as a 3–0 forfeit in favour of Morocco.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola described the Confederation of African Football (CAF) decision to award the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title to Morocco as “a surprise.”
Guardiola joins a growing list of prominent figures questioning the ruling, including Ahmed Hossam Mido, Roger Milla, and George Weah.
Reacting to the development, Guardiola offered a measured but pointed response.
“It’s a surprise,” he said. “I don’t have a proper opinion because I don’t know the reason why. I didn’t read, didn’t see.”
The Spaniard suggested such decisions are often made away from public scrutiny.
“But it’s a decision made behind the scenes. What happens everywhere is what we see; it’s not now, it always happens behind the scenes, and you don’t see their faces.”
The final, played on January 18, initially saw Senegal secure a 1–0 win after a tense and controversial contest.
Similarly, African football legend, George Weah, has reacted to the Confederation of African Football, CAF’s decision on the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, final.
CAF had stripped Senegal of the 2025 AFCON title and awarded it to Morocco.
George Weah
The ruling was handed down by the CAF Appeal Board following a petition by Morocco.
According to the verdict, Senegal’s abandonment of the pitch during the chaotic final constituted a forfeit.
Consequently, the board nullified the original 1-0 result and awarded Morocco a 3-0 walkover win, declaring the host nation the new continental champions.
Weah, in a lengthy statement on Thursday, insisted that football matches must be decided on the pitch.
The former Liberian President also called on the Court of Arbitration for Sports, CAS, and other relevant authorities to move decisively so that “this travesty does not stand”.
“The subsequent decision by the CAF committee, taken after the match had already been concluded, should not override the authority exercised by the referee during the game,” Weah’s statement partly read.
“Football must be decided on the pitch, not re-decided after the final whistle.”
Reacting to the development too, ex-England captain, Wayne Rooney, has hit out at the Confederation of African Football, CAF, over the decision to award the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations to Morocco.
“It’s crazy. If I were a Moroccan player, I wouldn’t accept it. Senegal beat them fair and square,” Rooney said.
“The Senegal team beat them fairly.”
Meanwhile, Senegal forward, Sadio Mane, had slammed CAF for awarding Morocco the 2025 AFCON.
