Aurelien Tchouameni reacts as Morocco handed AFCON title after Senegal forfeit

Aurelien Tchouameni has reacted to the extraordinary decision to award Morocco the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations title after Senegal were handed a 0-3 forfeit defeat.

CAF confirmed that Morocco’s appeal was upheld, ruling that Senegal’s decision to walk off following a 98th-minute penalty for a foul on Brahim Diaz constituted grounds for a forfeit. Although the game eventually resumed after a 13-minute delay, with Brahim missing the spot-kick and Senegal winning 1-0 on the night, the administrative ruling has reversed the result and crowned Morocco champions.

“Honestly, I don’t know what to say. Brahim will definitely be very happy (laughs), but I don’t know why it happened or what went wrong. But if Brahim has become the African champion, then the whole team will get him a gift,” Tchouameni admitted, acknowledging the strange circumstances while sharing his teammate’s joy.

The outcome has sparked huge debate across African football, but for Diaz and Morocco it means a historic continental triumph, while Tchouameni and the Real Madrid dressing room are already planning how to celebrate their colleague’s unexpected AFCON winner status.