On January 18, the Senegal national soccer team celebrated after beating Morocco 1-0 in the African Cup of Nations final.
However, two months after the win, their title has been removed and Morocco are now champions of Africa for the first time since 1976.
The reason for this is because in the second half of the final, Senegal players were upset due to a series of what they thought were incorrect calls by the referee. The players then walked off the field after a late penalty was rewarded to Morocco in stoppage time. This broke the Confederation of African Football policy (the governing body for African soccer).
Some people do agree with the decision, but think the referee should be the one who’s punished.
“I think that the decision was very strange 90+ 2 months, but due to the rule it’s a disqualification. The referee should be at fault for letting the game continue. The decision to overturn the game was correct, but it was done in the wrong manner,” said junior Nicolas Bertholini.
Moroccan midfielder Brahiam Diaz did end up missing the penalty by making a questionable panenka (shot that’s chipped right down the middle) penalty that he shot right at the goalkeeper.
Senegal scored in the 96th minute in overtime to win the AFCON for their first time since 2021.
There was also more controversy in the game as Moroccan ball boys were stealing goalkeeper Édouard Mendy’s towel. Fans also stormed the field, players scuffled on the sidelines, and reporters got into fights as well.
The AFCON is typically seen as the worst run continental soccer tournament in the world as there have been many accusations of corruption.
Many fans are confused with the decision and don’t agree with the overturning.
“I think despite being in the rule books, the fact they changed the decision 2 months after such an important game is wrong. They celebrated the game in the streets and it doesn’t feel right that they disallowed the championship. Even Moroccan fans can see how unjust it was,” said senior Jeremiah Garcia.
Since Senegal technically forfeited when they walked off the field, Morocco got rewarded with a 3-0 win.
If someone were to look the game up on Google, it would show up as a 3-0 Morocco win with no goal scorers.
Senegal is not backing down though, as their championship parades have continued over the last two months. Many videos have been taken on social media of the trophy being in obscure situations. One viral video had head coach Pape Thaiw holding the trophy in front of a lion while the animal licked the trophy.
Morocco is seen as the “golden boy” of African soccer, so many think corruption was involved to give Morocco the title.
Senegal has appealed the CAF’s decision and there’s a very good chance that they get the title back. $1 million in fines have already been handed out.
“I think the court of arbitrations will overturn the CAF’s decision and Senegal will remain champions,” said Masco boys’ soccer coach Jared Scarpaci.
Suspensions have been handed out as well to players of both teams, with some barred from playing for five games.
Both teams will be in the upcoming 2026 World Cup, but for now Morocco will head to North America as champions of Africa.