In a stunning turn of events, Morocco has been awarded the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) title, marking only the second victory in their history. This comes nearly two months after the competition’s final.
CAF Jury Overturns Initial Decision
The Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) jury of appeal made the decision on Tuesday, March 17. They re-attributed the title of the last CAN, which Senegal had originally won against Morocco in the final on January 18, 2026, by a score of 1-0 after extra time.
The initial match had been marred by incidents involving both teams. These included the Senegalese players’ refusal to return to the pitch after a penalty was awarded.
Following these incidents, the CAF disciplinary jury sanctioned both teams eleven days after the match. However, these sanctions were overturned on Tuesday by the jury, following an appeal from the Moroccan Football Federation.
Aftermath of the Final
The initial disciplinary actions taken against both Senegal and Morocco stemmed from the chaotic scenes that unfolded during and after the final. The Senegalese team’s protest, triggered by the penalty decision, added to the tension, creating a difficult environment. The Moroccan Football Federation’s appeal challenged the severity and fairness of these sanctions, leading to the CAF jury of appeal’s review and subsequent reversal.
The jury of appeal’s decision means a shift in the record books, handing Morocco the title that was previously held by Senegal. The implications of this decision are likely to reverberate throughout African football, raising questions about the consistency and fairness of disciplinary processes within CAF.
The Moroccan Football Federation lodged an appeal which resulted in the overturning of the sanctions.
Looking Ahead
The CAF jury of appeal attributed the title of the last CAN to Morocco after an appeal from the Moroccan Football Federation.