CAF decision to strip AFCON 2025 trophy from Senegal hands Morocco’s Walid Regragui historic title

The Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) dramatic decision to award Morocco the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title has rewritten history, handing Walid Regragui a landmark achievement while leaving Pape Thiaw on the losing end of a stunning reversal.

Morocco had originally fallen 1-0 to Senegal in the final played in Rabat last January. However, CAF’s Appeals Board later overturned the result after accepting Morocco’s protest, ruling that Senegal’s temporary withdrawal during the match constituted a breach of regulations. The decision saw the Atlas Lions awarded a 3-0 victory, securing their second continental title and ending a 49-year wait since their triumph in 1976.

Despite stepping down from his role earlier this month, Regragui has now become the first Moroccan coach to lead the national team to Africa Cup of Nations glory. The country’s only previous title had been won under Romanian coach George Mardarescu in 1976.

Over the years, Morocco had come close to reclaiming the crown, most notably in 2004 when Badou Zaki guided the team to the final, only to lose to Tunisia, then led by Roger Lemerre.

This unexpected triumph adds to Regragui’s impressive résumé, which already includes leading Morocco to a historic semi-final finish at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. With the CAF ruling, he also joins an elite group as the 15th national coach to guide his country to continental success.

On the other side, the decision has dealt a major blow to Thiaw. The Senegal head coach had initially secured what appeared to be a historic achievement, becoming only the second Senegalese manager to win the Africa Cup of Nations after Aliou Cisse in 2021. However, that milestone has now been erased following CAF’s ruling.

Thiaw, who took charge of the Lions of Teranga in December 2024, had led his side to continental glory in his first major tournament. Yet, in a twist few could have predicted, that success lasted just two months before being overturned.