Senegal Reacts as CAF Strips Teranga Lions of AFCON 2025 Title, Awards It to Morocco
- Senegal has reacted after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) stripped it of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title
- CAF announced the controversial decision on Tuesday evening after Morocco launched an appeal against the initial ruling
- The decision came two months after the Teranga Lions defeated the Atlas Lions of Morocco 1-0 to win the African crown
Senegal reacted after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) stripped it of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and awarded it to Morocco.
CAF dropped the bombshell on Tuesday evening that Senegal had forfeited the AFCON final match and declared Morocco the winner of the match by walkover.
Source: Getty Images
The decision was made on Senegal’s temporary withdrawal from the AFCON final after referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded a controversial penalty to Morocco.
CAF also reduced Moroccan forward Ismail Saibari’s suspension and fine, prompting further accusations of favouritism from African football fans.
Senegal reacts to CAF’s judgment
Senegal's official national team X page shared a video of the Teranga Lions stars dancing during the bus parade in Dakar after winning the title.
See the X post below:
The video, which was a direct jibe at CAF, was reposted by the Senegalese Football Federation, FSF’s account, their first response since the incident broke.
International sports lawyer Israel Ajoje, speaking exclusively to Legit.ng discussed the immediate implications of the ruling on the medals and trophy awarded to Senegal.
“To Senegal and Morocco, it means that as of today, the acknowledged winner of the AFCON is Morocco,” he said.
“If the head of the arbitrary panel says Senegal should be stripped of the title, that means the medal would be taken back from the boys and the trophy would be given back to Morocco.
“Senegal can apply for stay of judgement which means the judgement would be stayed pending appeal, but if the judgement does not say anything about retrieving the medals and trophies, Senegal keeps it till the appeal is done.”
Most African football fans cheered Senegal’s cheeky response and praised them as the only champions Africans recognise, as they won it on the pitch.
@t_s_t_dee wrote:
“The only champions recognised by Real Africans 🇸🇳 🇸🇳🇸🇳”
Source: Getty Images
@emmafatherafc wrote:
“You earned it. You were not awarded.”
@masurpi wrote:
“They can't take this away, unfortunately. What a celebration.”
@letsoalo_rant wrote:
“Ear7kned through hard work and sweat! Not awarded.”
Despite the cheers, some fans lampooned Senegal, describing their conduct during the final on January 18, 2026, in Rabat, Morocco, as unprofessional.
However, fans acknowledged that referee Jean-Jacques Ndala should have enacted articles 82 and 84 of the CAF’s regulation and ended the match, as noted by BBC Sport.
Morocco reacts to CAF's ruling
Legit.ng previously reported that the Moroccan FA reacted after CAF annulled the results of AFCON 2025 final and handed Morocco a walkover victory.
The Moroccan federation acknowledged the ruling, but refused to make any further statement until its governing body had met to discuss it.
Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
