Morocco’s new head coach, Mohamed Ouahbi, has endorsed the decision by the Confederation of African Football to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, describing the outcome as justified.
The ruling, confirmed on March 17, overturned Senegal’s 1-0 victory in the final played in Rabat after CAF sanctioned the team for briefly walking off the pitch in protest over a late penalty awarded to Morocco during stoppage time.
Although captain Sadio Mane later led the team back onto the field, Morocco failed to convert the penalty, before Pape Gueye scored in extra time to initially secure the win for Senegal.
Speaking while unveiling his first squad ahead of friendlies against Ecuador and Paraguay, Ouahbi congratulated Morocco’s players, staff, and football authorities, saying the decision was deserved and widely welcomed.
He added that while the ruling has boosted morale, his primary focus remains building a competitive team for upcoming international competitions, including the World Cup.
Morocco’s football federation also praised CAF’s decision, stating it reflects adherence to the rules of the game.
However, Senegal has rejected the verdict and is preparing a legal challenge. The Senegalese Football Federation confirmed it has engaged lawyers to appeal the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, describing the ruling as unfair.
The dispute follows earlier disciplinary measures by CAF, which had fined both teams for unsporting conduct without initially altering the match result.
As the legal battle looms, attention is shifting to the next phase of the dispute, with the possibility of further developments before a final resolution is reached.
Meanwhile, Morocco is turning its attention to future competitions, having previously impressed with a semi-final finish at the 2022 FIFA World Cup and now preparing for another campaign on the global stage.