Many woke up this morning to the News that the concluded Africa Cup of Nations, which was highly contested and won by the Teranga Lions of Senegal, is no more valid. CAF said since the match was abandoned by Senegal when penalty was awarded to Morocco, then Senegal has lost the right to the competition and the cup which they won will now be awarded to the Atlas Lion Of Morocco.
After Morocco file a petition to CAF, the ruling was taken according to Article 82 of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) regulations dictates that any team which withdraws, fails to appear, refuses to play, or leaves the pitch before the full time without the referee's authorization is deemed to have lost the match and will be eliminated from the competition.
This regulation, along with Article 84, was utilized by the CAF Appeal Board on March 17, 2026, to rule that Senegal forfeited the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final against Morocco.
This decision has brought a new low to Africa.
With this decision, one will ask if the match was totally abandoned, or a walk out due to a questionable decision by the referee. After the players walk off the pitch, did they return or not? Was the penalty not eventually taken? Don't players have a the right to protest when they feel they are cheated?
This is a pure fine decision, not to take such a drastic decision. If such a ugly decision is allowed to stand, the reputation of AFCON would surely drop, and future competition could be taunted.
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