Moroccan Football Federation will petition the Confederation of African Football (CAF) over the withdrawal of Senegal players in the high-stake 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final.
The West African football heavyweights won the continental showpiece in a crazy scenario, defeating host Morocco 1-0 in a match held at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat after 120 minutes on Sunday night.
Senegal had left the field after referee Jacques Ndala awarded a penalty kick to Morocco, minutes after disallowing a goal for the Taranga Lions.
But Sadio Mane urged his teammates to return to the pitch for the continuation of the match. Their return paid off, with Pape Gueye netting the match winner after Brahim Diaz had squandered a penalty kick.
Source close to Africasoccer.com suggests that the Moroccan Football Federation objects to the withdrawal of a large number of Senegalese players from the field, prompting the decision to file a protest at CAF.
For the first time, Senegal has triumphed over the host nation after five previous attempts without a victory against the home team.
The Taranga Lions now hold the second-longest unbeaten run in the Africa Cup of Nations with 18 matches, after Egypt, who hold the record with 24 matches.
Meanwhile, the Atlas Lions has been absent from the podium in the Africa Cup of Nations for 50 years, since winning the title in 1976.
