The Senegalese Football Federation has rejected the decision of the Confederation of African Football Appeal Board awarding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title to Morocco and confirmed it will challenge the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Morocco were on Tuesday crowned champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after the Confederation of African Football Appeal Board overturned the result of the final against Senegal, ruling that the West African side forfeited the match following a walk-off during the game in Rabat on January 19.

CAF stated that “the Senegal national team is declared to have forfeited the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, with the result recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football.”

The decision followed a protest by Morocco after chaotic scenes late in the final, when Senegal players briefly left the pitch after a disallowed goal and a penalty awarded to the hosts, an action the appeal board ruled fell under Articles 82 and 84 of the competition regulations on misconduct and forfeiture.

“With this decision, the CAF Appeals Board declared the appeal of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation admissible and accepted it.

“In doing so, the board overturned the decision rendered by the CAF Disciplinary Board, on the grounds that the appellant’s right to be heard had not been respected during the initial proceedings,” the FSF said.

According to the statement, the appeal committee ruled that the conduct of the Senegal national team fell under Articles 82 and 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations regulations, leading to the forfeiture decision.

“The Appeals Committee also determined that the conduct of the Senegalese team fell under Articles 82 and 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations.

“Consequently, CAF declared that the FSF had violated Article 82 and awarded the match by forfeit, with a recorded score of 3–0 in favor of the FRMF, in accordance with Article 84,” the federation stated.

Reacting to the verdict, the Senegalese federation criticised the decision, describing it as damaging to the credibility of African football.

“The Senegalese Football Federation denounces an unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable decision that discredits African football,” the statement added.

The federation confirmed that it would file an appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland.

“To defend its rights and the interests of Senegalese football, the Federation will initiate, as soon as possible, an appeal procedure before the Court of Arbitration for Sport,” the statement said.

The FSF added that it remained committed to due process and would continue to inform the public as the case progresses.

“The FSF reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the values of integrity and sporting justice, and will keep the public informed of the follow-up to this matter,” the statement concluded.

Below is a statement credited to CAF on the conduct of final match of the 2025 AFCON between host nation, Morocco, and Senegal

The CAF Appeal Board decided that in application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 (“the Match”), with the result of the Match being recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).

The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) Appeal Board decided today that in application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 (“the Match”), with the result of the Match being recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).

On the appeal by the FRMF regarding the application of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the CAF Appeal Board made the following rulings:

–       “The appeal lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is declared admissible in form and the appeal is upheld.

–       The CAF Disciplinary Board decision is set aside.

–       The CAF Appeal Board further finds that the conduct of the Senegal team falls within the scope of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations.

–       The protest lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is upheld.

–       It is declared that the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), through the conduct of its team, infringed Article 82 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations.

–       In application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations, the Senegal team is declared to have forfeited the match, with the result recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).

–       All other motions or prayers for relief are dismissed.”

The CAF Appeal Board also ruled that:

–       “The appeal lodged in respect of Mr Ismaël Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) is partially upheld.

–       The CAF Appeal Board confirms the finding that Mr Ismaël Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) committed misconduct in violation of Articles 82 and 83(1) of the CAF Disciplinary Code.

–       The sanction imposed on Mr Ismaël Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) is amended to a suspension of two (2) official CAF matches, of which one (1) match is suspended.

–       The fine of USD 100,000 imposed on Mr Ismaël Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) is set aside.

–       The appeal lodged in respect of the ball boys incident is partially upheld.

–       The CAF Appeal Board confirms the finding that the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is responsible for the conduct of the ball boys during the aforementioned match.

–       The fine imposed on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) in respect of the ball boys incident is reduced to USD 50,000.

–       The appeal lodged in respect of the interference around the OFR/VAR review area is dismissed.

–       The fine of USD 100,000 imposed on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) in respect of the interference around the OFR/VAR review area is confirmed.

–       The appeal lodged in respect of the laser incident is partially upheld.

–       The fine imposed on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) in respect of the laser incident is reduced to USD 10,000.

–       All other motions or prayers for relief are dismissed.”

Source: CAFonline

Nigeria’s football community has been thrown into mourning following the death of former Super Eagles midfielder Henry Nwosu, one of the heroes of the country’s historic 1980 Africa Cup of Nations triumph.

He was 62 years old.

Segun Odegbami confirmed the sad news in an emotional message, revealing that the former midfielder passed away around 4:00 a.m. after battling for his life for five days in hospital.

Fondly nicknamed “Youngest Millionaire,” Nwosu earned the tag as the youngest member of the Nigerian squad that won the country’s first-ever Africa Cup of Nations title in 1980.Born on 14 June 1963 in Imo State, Nwosu rose to prominence as one of Nigeria’s most gifted midfielders during the golden era of Nigerian football in the 1980s. Known for his creativity, dribbling ability and tactical intelligence, he quickly established himself as a key figure in the national team.

He made about 60 appearances for Nigeria between 1980 and 1991, scoring eight goals and featuring in several major tournaments, including the 1980, 1982, 1984 and 1988 Africa Cup of Nations. While Nigeria won the continental title in 1980, the team finished runners-up in both the 1984 and 1988 editions.

Nwosu also represented Nigeria at the 1980 Olympic Games, where he scored the country’s only goal in the tournament.

At club level, the midfield maestro enjoyed a distinguished career, playing for several notable teams including New Nigeria Bank FC of Benin City and ACB Lagos.

He also had spells abroad with ASEC Mimosas of Côte d’Ivoire and Racing FC Bafoussam of Cameroon.

After retiring from active football in the early 1990s, Nwosu moved into coaching and player development. He served as an assistant coach with Nigeria’s national teams, including the side that won a silver medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

He also worked with clubs such as Union Bank FC and Gateway United.

In recent years, the former midfielder battled health challenges, including a stroke that left him requiring medical care and support from members of the football community.

His passing marks the loss of one of the stars of Nigeria’s first continental triumph and a player widely admired for his flair and influence in midfield during the formative years of the Super Eagles.

Tributes are already pouring in from across the Nigerian football fraternity as the nation remembers a man whose name remains etched in the country’s sporting history.