Morocco’s Adam Masina calls Senegal’s AFCON 2025 final actions ‘deplorable’

Morocco defender Adam Masina has described Senegal’s conduct during the controversial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final as “deplorable” and backed the decision to award the title to Morocco.

The Torino defender criticised Senegal for leaving the pitch before the final was completed and said the team’s actions meant Morocco could not properly celebrate what should have been a historic triumph in front of their home supporters.

“Playing it in Morocco was magnificent. A tournament of this level had never been seen before. The only flaw was that final,” Masina said in an interview with Italy’s Corriere della Sera.

Controversial final

The AFCON final ended in dramatic circumstances after Senegal walked off the pitch before the match had been completed.

After a lengthy disciplinary process, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) awarded the title to Morocco. Senegal subsequently appealed against the decision.

Masina, however, believes CAF was right to rule in Morocco’s favour and strongly criticised the Senegalese side’s behaviour.

“Senegal’s behavior was deplorable in leaving the field and harassing the opposing team until the very end. It was unsportsmanlike,” he said.

“We’ll see what they decide on Senegal’s appeal, but for me, they can never have won.”

The defender said the controversy took away from Morocco’s opportunity to celebrate the achievement with supporters who had backed the team throughout the tournament.

“The bitterness of not being able to celebrate in front of our people remains.”

Morocco’s football rise

Masina also used the interview to explain why he believes Morocco have become one of Africa’s leading football nations.

The 32-year-old attributed the country’s progress to a long-term strategy rather than an attempt to achieve immediate success.

He said the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) began investing in infrastructure, youth development and pathways for young players more than 20 years ago.

“More than 20 years ago, the federation decided to invest in infrastructure, young players, and player development,” Masina explained.

The defender highlighted the country’s national-team training centre as an example of the scale of that investment.

“Look at the national team’s training center, it’s incredible. It’s like a small city with pitches, hospitals, and everything needed to help athletes reach the highest level.”

Building for the future

Morocco’s rise has seen its national teams make significant progress on both the African and global stages.

The country has also continued to strengthen its position as a major football hub on the continent, with investment in training facilities, youth development and player pathways forming a central part of its strategy.

For Masina, that sustained investment provides the foundation for Morocco’s continued success, even as the controversy surrounding the AFCON final remains a bitter part of an otherwise memorable period for Moroccan football.