The African Cup of Nations (AFCON) final between Morocco and Senegal was an embarrassing night for football on the continent. The reputational damage to African football will remain for a long time.
A match that promised a lot between two quality teams produced scenes of surprising acrimony and chaos in Morocco’s capital, Rabat. Once the issue is resolved, the autopsy begins.
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The final was deadlocked at 0-0, and trouble began to occur in stoppage time. Senegal’s Ismaila Sarr appeared to have scored, but the goal was disallowed by referee Jean-Jacques N’Dala, who ruled that Abdoulaye Sek had fouled Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi. This decision clearly infuriated Senegalese coach Pape Thiau.
Then chaos ensued. Near the end of stoppage time, Morocco’s Real Madrid star Brahim Diaz slammed the ball to the ground, pleading violently for a penalty. After a review by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), a highly controversial penalty was awarded as Ndala scuffled with the coach and players, giving Morocco a chance to win at the death.
That’s when the conflict turned into a fire. Thiau felt that Senegal had been cheated and sued, but took the final into dangerous territory when he led his team off the field and into a tunnel in protest. It took more than 17 minutes for play to resume, with objects thrown from the crowd and some fans storming the pitch. Thiau later admitted that he should not have taken this action, but the damage was done.
Diaz’s ‘panenka’ mistake hurts host nation
Tensions inside the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium could have led to even uglier scenes before attention shifted to the penalty spot and the ball into Dias’ hands, while Senegalese players continued to complain bitterly. It was a moment for him and for Morocco, who had been waiting 50 years to become African champion.
Diaz’s next move, which made him a media darling at AFCON 2025 with a tournament-high five goals, summed up the night’s frenzy.
Inexplicably, he attempted a “panenka” chip, but embarrassingly, the Real Madrid winger clipped the ball straight into the arm of Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. The home crowd of more than 66,000 at the stadium struggled to understand what had happened.
Then, as extra time began, Pape Gueye scored a stunning winning goal against Senegal, further shocking the Moroccan fans. This goal would have been a memorable moment if the final had not already descended into complete chaos.
Senegal became African champions for the second time. From a football perspective, they deserved it. But the final’s inquest means the celebrations are overshadowed by condemnation.
Disciplinary action is likely to be taken
FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who was watching the final, condemned the “ugly scenes” on Instagram.
“It is unacceptable to leave the field in this way,” Infantino said. “Violence cannot be tolerated in our sport,” adding: “The decisions of the match officials must always be respected.”
In the final, there is a high possibility that severe disciplinary action will be taken by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the tournament’s governing body, as the main attraction of the tournament will be spoiled.
Moroccan director Walid Reglagui called the scene “disgraceful”, adding that it “doesn’t show respect to Africa”.
Strong action is likely to be taken against Thiau, whose press conference was forced to be canceled due to further disturbances in the press room. But he is not the only one facing intense scrutiny.
Before the final, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) expressed concerns about the safety of the tournament, saying players and staff were “at risk”. The FSF also raised concerns about the allocation of practice pitches, hotels and tickets for the final.
The refereeing of the finals drew much criticism. Although Congolese referee Ndala withstood intense pressure when the Senegalese player was sent off, his decision in stoppage time was admittedly puzzling. Did Sek really foul Hakimi? I felt that the voice was harsh towards the Senegalese players. And why didn’t the referee consult VAR?
Did Morocco’s Dias succumb too easily to the seemingly innocuous pressure of Senegal’s El Hadji Malick Diouf? Well, Ndala was initially uninterested, but then seemed to succumb to pressure from a pleading Diaz and the crowd. It will be difficult to make a decision in favor of the hosts. two were inflammatory;
Host country bias claim
Morocco coach Leglaghi felt the need to publicly reject the host nation’s favoritism that has dogged this AFCON after Cameroon had two penalties denied in Morocco’s quarter-final victory.
Conspiracy theories distracted from the praise Morocco had received as hosts of the tournament, with Egypt and Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah thanking the organizers and saying: “This is the first time I have participated in an African tournament with such a high level of organization.”
This would have been unthinkable in the minds of the Moroccan fans who left the stadium in tears on Sunday night, and of those who had gathered from across the country ready to celebrate. It was easy to pity them because none of it was their fault. Rain captured the moment. Hopes and dreams were crushed. The wait to become champion will continue.
Right up until the carnage at the end of the final, it felt like the general narrative of AFCON 2025 was about the raising of the standard of African football and whether Africa’s top teams, particularly Senegal and Morocco, could advance to the top of June’s FIFA World Cup. Maybe we’ll even make history.
Despite reaching the semi-finals in Qatar and years of investment in youth football still bearing fruit, it would be careless to underestimate Morocco’s chances of defeating soccer’s biggest nation. The same applies to Senegal. Senegalese players are lighting up the European leagues, coming together as a formidable force representing the Lions of Teranga.
But in Rabat, inattention on the part of coaches, players and fans dragged African football’s growing reputation into a quagmire. Infantino has already made it clear that such scenes will not be tolerated in Africa or other regions.
The only man to gain notoriety for the final fiasco was Senegalese star Sadio Mane, but he appeared reluctant to leave the pitch and urged his team-mates to return. He also tried to calm the anger of Senegalese fans after two controversial decisions.
Football fans around the world should celebrate Senegal’s success and the quality shown by both finalists. Instead, we will remember a disgraceful scene in a country that will co-host the World Cup in four years’ time.
It is up to CAF and its Disciplinary Department to make the final decision regarding the 2025 AFCON. CAF’s reputation has been severely tarnished and they need to please FIFA, so don’t be surprised if there is more drama in the future.
