AFCON final referee faces backlash after controversial Senegal-Morocco clash

The referee who took charge of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final has become the centre of widespread online criticism after a series of contentious decisions during Senegal’s victory over Morocco.

Jean-Jacques Ndala Ngambo, the Congolese official appointed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to oversee the final in Rabat, was heavily criticised on social media following Senegal’s 1-0 win after extra time.

While the Lions of Teranga celebrated continental success, attention quickly shifted to refereeing calls that dominated post-match discussion.

The most disputed moments came late in the match. A Senegalese goal in stoppage time was ruled out, a decision that confused many observers, before a penalty was awarded to Morocco after a video assistant referee (VAR) review.

The sequence of decisions sparked disbelief among players, pundits and supporters, and briefly led to Senegalese players leaving the pitch in protest before play resumed.

Those scenes added to the intensity of the debate surrounding Ndala Ngambo’s performance. Within minutes of the final whistle, criticism flooded social media platforms, particularly X, where users from across Africa and beyond voiced frustration.

Many questioned the consistency of VAR interventions and accused the referee of mismanaging decisive moments in a match of such significance.

Some posts went further, using sarcasm and mockery to express dissatisfaction, while others argued that the officiating overshadowed what should have been a showcase final for African football. The scale of the reaction reflected both the importance of the match and the emotions attached to it.

Beyond the individual referee, the controversy has reignited a broader discussion about officiating standards in African competitions.

Online commentators linked the incidents in the final to recurring concerns raised throughout the tournament, suggesting that refereeing decisions have too often become central talking points rather than the football itself.

Because of the profile of the Senegal–Morocco final and its global audience, the debate was amplified, drawing attention from fans well beyond the two competing nations.

For many, the events in Rabat were seen as emblematic of wider structural issues rather than an isolated case.

As Senegal celebrated lifting the trophy, the refereeing performance ensured that the final will be remembered not only for the result, but also for the controversy that followed.

The reaction to Ndala Ngambo’s decisions has left CAF facing renewed scrutiny, with questions likely to persist long after the celebrations have faded.