In a dramatic turn of events, Morocco has been named the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) champions after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) stripped Senegal of their title following a protest in the final.
The incident occurred during the AFCON final between Senegal and Morocco in January. In stoppage-time, referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty after a VAR review of a challenge on Brahim Diaz by Senegal’s Malick Diouf. The penalty decision sparked outrage from Senegal’s coach, Pape Thiaw, who led his team off the pitch in protest. After a 16-minute delay, Senegal returned to the field, and although Morocco’s Diaz missed the penalty, Senegal won 1-0 in extra time.
However, CAF’s Appeal Board ruled that Senegal forfeited the match due to their walk-off protest, recording a 3-0 victory for Morocco. The decision came after Morocco’s football governing body, the FRMF, appealed the final result, requesting that CAF enforce the regulations of the competition.
Senegal’s squad, including high-profile players like Sadio Mane, Idrissa Gueye, and Ismaila Sarr, saw their champion status revoked, and Morocco was awarded its second AFCON title. While Senegal could still appeal the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), Morocco is now celebrating their hard-fought triumph.
The controversy surrounding the final extended beyond the pitch. Senegal’s coach, Pape Thiaw, expressed regret for his actions, admitting that leading the team off the field was a mistake. “I accept the errors of the referee, but we shouldn’t have done it,” he said. On the other hand, Morocco’s coach Walid Regragui condemned the behavior, calling it “shameful” for African football.
Despite the turmoil, Senegal’s star player, Sadio Mane, showed his leadership by encouraging his teammates to return to the field, preventing the match from being abandoned. “Imagine if the game had stopped,” he said. “It would have been a shame for African football.”
Morocco’s triumph is now officially recognized, with a victory that underscores the importance of respecting the game’s regulations and maintaining the integrity of African football.
