I thought it was a joke – Former Senegal star Diawara shocked as CAF awards 2025 AFCON title to Morocco

Former Senegal defender Souleymane Diawara, has expressed shock at the decision of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to award the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title to the Moroccan over the Teranga Lions.

The continental football governing body (CAF) dropped a bombshell on Tuesday night, annulling Senegal’s AFCON 2025 success and awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory.

In a landmark ruling issued under Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations, CAF upheld an appeal lodged by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), setting aside the earlier decision of the Disciplinary Board.

The decision stems from dramatic scenes during the final, when Senegal players walked off the pitch for over 17 minutes in protest against a late penalty awarded to Morocco.

Following Sadio Mane’s intervention, the Teranga Lions returned to the pitch for the continuation of the match and subsequently prevailed with a narrow win through Pape Gueye after Brahim Diaz had missed the penalty that had triggered the protest.

CAF, however, ruled that the conduct of the Senegal team constituted a breach of the competition’s regulations. As a result, the Federation Senegalaise de Football (FSF) was found to have infringed Article 82, leading to the forfeiture of the match under Article 84.

Speaking to French radio network Monte Carlo, the former rock-solid defender voiced his disbelief and frustration over CAF’s decision to strip off Senegal the title.

“Honestly, I thought it was a joke… What bothers me is that two months have passed before the decision was made.” He said.

Meanwhile, the Senegalese Football Federation has threatened to contest the case at the Court of Arbitration for Sports.