Algeria’s Hafid Derradji slams CAF ruling stripping Senegal of AFCON 2025 ruling

Algerian commentator Hafid Derradji has strongly criticised the Confederation of African Football following its controversial decision to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and award it to Morocco, describing the development as a setback for African football.

Senegal had originally secured a 1-0 victory over Morocco in the final held in Rabat on January 18, in a match filled with drama and tension. The encounter saw the Lions of Teranga temporarily leave the pitch in protest over a late penalty decision.

During that moment, Brahim Díaz missed a Panenka-style penalty, an opportunity that ultimately proved costly as Pape Gueye went on to score the decisive goal in extra time, sealing what was initially celebrated as Senegal’s triumph.

CAF had earlier confirmed Senegal’s victory and announced disciplinary sanctions against both sides. However, in a dramatic turn of events, the governing body later revisited the case and upheld Morocco’s appeal, leading to a complete reversal of the result.

In its official statement, Confederation of African Football explained that “The Appeals Board of the Confederation of African Football, pursuant to Article 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations regulations, has decided to consider the Senegalese national team as the loser in the final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (the match in dispute), with the result being upheld as 3-0 in favor of Morocco.”

Reacting to the decision on his official page on X, Derradji did not hold back in his assessment.

“Two months after the final, which was completed and ended with the Senegalese team being crowned on the field, the Appeals Committee of the African Union considered the Senegalese team to have withdrawn from the Africa Cup of Nations final, and declared Morocco the winner with a score of 3-0 and crowned it champion on paper! A new victory for Senegal, and a new loss for African football, which will once again stand before the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne,” he said in his post.

بعد شهرين من النهائي الذي اكتمل وانتهى بتتويج المنتخب السنغالي فوق الميدان، اعتبرت لجنة الاستئناف في الاتحاد الإفريقي المنتخب السنغالي منسحباً من نهائي كأس أمم إفريقيا، وأعلنت فوز المغرب بنتيجة 3-0 وتتويجه بطلاً على الورق!
انتصار جديد للسنغال، وخسارة جديدة للكرة الإفريقية التي… pic.twitter.com/CydbMZxpLb

— hafid derradji حفيظ دراجي (@derradjihafid) March 17, 2026