The 2026 Africa Cup of Nations final between Senegal and Morocco will be remembered as one of the most controversial matches in African football history.
On the pitch, Senegal emerged 1–0 winners after extra time, with Pape Gueye scoring a thunderous long-range goal in the 94th minute.
Sadio Mané was named Player of the Tournament, Morocco’s Brahim Díaz claimed the Golden Boot with five goals, and Yassine Bounou was awarded Goalkeeper of the Tournament.
But the drama went far beyond the scoreline.
In stoppage time, Senegal’s Ismaila Sarr headed what appeared to be a last-minute winner, only for referee Jean-Jacques Ndala to disallow it for a “light” foul by Abdoulaye Seck on Achraf Hakimi.
Minutes later, a controversial penalty was awarded to Morocco when Brahim Díaz went down.
In protest, Senegal’s coach Pape Thiaw ordered his players to leave the pitch.
The match was suspended for 17 minutes before Sadio Mane persuaded his teammates to return.
When play resumed, the penalty was missed, and Senegal held on to win in extra time.
Despite the on-field triumph, CAF later ruled that Senegal had forfeited the match by leaving the field, awarding a 3–0 victory to Morocco.
In defiance, Senegal paraded their AFCON trophy during a friendly against Peru in Paris, calling the ruling an “administrative robbery.”
CAF president Dr Patrice Motsepe said, “The matters relating to the incidences that took place at the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025 are before [the Court of Arbitration for Sport].”
“We will respect and implement whatever decision is taken by CAS.”
Amid this turmoil, CAF general secretary Veron Mosengo-Omba announced his resignation, citing personal projects.
“I have decided to step down from my position as Secretary General of CAF to devote myself to more personal projects.”
“Now that I have been able to dispel the suspicions that some people have gone to great lengths to cast on me, I can retire with peace of mind and without constraint, leaving the CAF more prosperous than ever,” he said.
Mosengo-Omba, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, had faced criticism for staying beyond the mandatory retirement age of 63 and for allegedly fostering a toxic work environment, though an investigation cleared him of wrongdoing.
Motsepe praised his contributions, “We are enormously grateful to Veron for his contributions and the work he did for the development and growth of African football.”
CAF’s director of competitions, Samson Adamu from Nigeria, will take over as interim general secretary.
Motsepe expressed confidence, saying, “Samson has started immediately and he will be leading us going forward”
“The vice-presidents will lead the process and report to me on the appointment of a permanent general secretary.”
CAF has announced statutory reforms, stating, “The Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) announced today that it is implementing changes and improvements to the CAF Statutes and Regulations that will strengthen the trust and confidence in the CAF referees, VAR operators and the CAF Disciplinary Board and Appeal Board.
“These changes and improvements will also ensure that the incidences that took place at the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025 do not happen again.”
Motsepe emphasized fairness, adding, “We must also professionalise African referees and VAR operators and pay them well.
“CAF has made significant progress over the past five years in implementing governance, ethics, transparency and managerial best practices.”
“What is also non-negotiable is our commitment and determination to treat each and every member association equally and fairly.”
“Under no circumstances will any member association be treated preferentially or favoured above any other.”
The saga leaves Senegal as “champions on the pitch” while Morocco holds the title on paper, awaiting a final ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
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