Morocco was controversially declared the 2025Africa Cup of Nations champion instead of Senegal months after the two teams played a contentious final match on January 18, 2026. During the match, the referee had awarded Morocco a penalty during the closing minutes of regular time, which prompted Senegal coach Pape Thiaw to lead his team off the pitch in protest. They returned 15 minutes later, and Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy then saved the penalty taken by Moroccan striker Brahim Diaz. The match went to extra time, during which Senegal scored a goal. In March 2026 the appeal board of the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF), the governing body for international football in Africa, ruled that Senegal had forfeited the match by walking off, and awarded Morocco the title.
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