Morocco star Achraf Hakimi reacts after being declared AFCON 2025 champions

Morocco international Achraf Hakimi has reacted to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) decision to award the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title to the Atlas Lions, months after the tournament in the North African country.

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

Having secured Champions League quarterfinal berth over Chelsea, the enterprising full-back also learned of the Atlas Lions AFCON success, after Senegal were stripped off the title.

“Energy speaks, I don’t” wrote Hakimi on X, formerly known as Twitter with many subjecting it to the AFCON 2025 declaration.

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.

Besides, the Appeal Board of CAF also issued additional rulings relating to incidents during the final.

Morocco player Ismael Saibari was found guilty of misconduct in violation of CAF’s disciplinary code. His sanction was reduced to a two-match suspension, with one match suspended, while a previously imposed fine of $100,000 was set aside.

CAF also held Morocco’s federation responsible for the conduct of ball boys during the match, reducing the associated fine to $50,000.

However, a separate fine of $100,000 for interference around the VAR review area was upheld, while a sanction relating to a laser incident was reduced to $10,000. All other appeals and requests were dismissed.

The ruling brings closure to a highly contentious final and sets a significant precedent for disciplinary enforcement in African football.