Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi welcomes CAF decision to award AFCON 2025 title to Atlas Lions over Senegal

Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi, has expressed relief and satisfaction following the controversial decision by the Confederation of African Football to award the Atlas Lions the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title at the expense of Senegal.

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.

Unveiling his squad for the upcoming friendlies on Thursday, Ouahbi backed CAF ruling, describing it as a positive development for Moroccan football.

“This is very good news. I think it can only be positive. It is a decision taken by CAF; the federation has played a significant part in this, but everything concerning what happened previously during the Africa Cup of Nations will be handled by the federation and the relevant authorities”

The CAF ruling, which stripped Senegal of their title and handed it to Morocco, has sparked intense debate across the football world, drawing mixed reactions from players, coaches, and former legends.

However, Ouahbi’s stance reflects the official Moroccan position, welcoming the outcome despite the controversy surrounding the process.

Beyond the immediate implications of the decision, the Moroccan coach emphasized its potential impact on team morale and future ambitions. He believes the ruling could serve as a motivational boost for his players as they prepare for upcoming international challenges, including the next World Cup.

“I will have a squad of players who are highly motivated to perform well at the World Cup,” he added.

Ouahbi’s comments suggest a clear shift toward the future, as Morocco looks to capitalize on the momentum generated by the AFCON decision. With preparations already underway, the Atlas Lions are aiming to translate off-field developments into on-field success.

While the debate over CAF’s verdict continues to divide opinion across Africa, Morocco’s camp appears firmly united, viewing the outcome not only as justice served but also as a catalyst for renewed ambition on the global stage.