AFCON RETURNS TO 2-YEAR CYCLE AFTER CAF REVERSES QUADRENNIAL DECISION

Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will cohost the next AFCON in 2027, with subsequent tournaments in 2028, 2031 and 2033.

CAF announced the planned Nations League would take years to generate enough revenue to sustain African football [File: Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty Images]

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will be held every two years, not four as was planned, governing body the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced after reversing an earlier decision.

AFCON has traditionally been staged every two years, but CAF’s surprise decision last December to move to a four-year cycle was not widely welcomed.

“The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Executive Committee today unanimously decided that the CAF Africa Cup of Nations will return to taking place every Two Years,” CAF said in a statement.

Under the previous plan, AFCON would have moved to a four-year cycle, with the proposed CAF Nations League becoming the continent’s biennial competition.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe said at a strategy conference in Cape Verde earlier this month that the organisation was considering returning AFCON to a two-year cycle.

CAF said the Nations League would take years to generate enough revenue to sustain African football.

“The decision by the CAF Executive Committee to reinstate the organization of the AFCON every two years aims to advance, protect and promote the interests of African football and the 54 CAF Member Associations, as well as those of African players playing for clubs outside the continent,” Motsepe said in a statement.

Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will cohost the next edition in 2027, with subsequent tournaments to be held in 2028, 2031 and 2033.

There will be no AFCON in 2030, with CAF maintaining its tradition of not staging the tournament in a World Cup year.

- Reuters

SALAH WALKS, HASSAN TALKS - AND EGYPT HAVE A PROBLEM

Egypt forward Mohamed Salah, left, will not play in the next game against South Sudan, something coach Hossam Hassan, right, said was already agreed. Getty Images / Reuters

Pharaohs head coach has gone from hero to headache as he attempted to walk back criticism of Shenawy and the Egyptian league while questions remain over whether Salah will return

Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan went into full damage control mode on Monday while talking to reporters ahead of the Pharaohs’ Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Sudan.

Hassan walked back many of the statements that landed him in hot water with fans, pundits, and even his own players over the past week.

Just two months after he was given a hero’s welcome alongside the Egyptian squad that made a historic run to the last-16 at the 2026 World Cup, Hassan went through a nightmare four-day media storm due to ill-advised comments made during press conferences, a sub-par 0-0 performance against Angola, and the seemingly surprising departure of Mohamed Salah from training camp.

What did Hassan say?

At his pre-match press conference ahead of the Angola game in Cairo on Thursday, Hassan was quizzed about the absence of Mohamed El Shenawy, the Al Ahly goalkeeper and one of the Egyptian national team’s captains, from his squad.

Hassan did not appreciate his decisions being questioned and implied that at some point El Shenawy’s career was “finished” before he managed to revive it through the national team – comments that were interpreted by many as offensive to a player who has earned 76 caps and was Egypt’s first-choice goalkeeper for many years before his teammate Mostafa Shobeir came to the fore this summer.

“Mohamed El Shenawy at one point was finished, and was not playing with his club, yet he returned to his level through the work we did with him with the national team. Not just him, but other players as well,” said Hassan, who has also taken credit for bringing Emam Ashour back to form after illness.

“This was our point of view this time, regardless of whether he [El Shenawy] is injured or not. All respect to all the players, especially since Mohamed El Shenawy is one of the captains of the Egypt national team, and I value him. But this is my choice. I could have made my life easier by saying he is injured. But even if he isn’t injured, this is my choice. It’s high time we trust each other.”

"محمد صلاح من أهم لاعبي العالم.. وفضلنا إراحته بسبب أرضية النجيل الصناعي" 🇪🇬

حسام حسن خلال المؤتمر الصحفي الخاص بمباراة مصر وجنوب السودان 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/rONfeAm2s2

— EFA.eg (@EFA) September 28, 2026

Egyptian Football Association president Hany Abou Rida and Al Ahly, both released statements in support of El Shenawy following Hassan’s press conference.

Other comments that caused great ire among the Egyptian public were Hassan’s views on the Egyptian Premier League, the domestic league that typically provides almost 90 per cent of the players for the national team.

“I wish that the domestic league becomes strong. Looking at the league, do you see any team or any club in the league that has a good technical level? Name one star or one team from the league that you believe can add value or improve the level of the national team,” said Hassan on Thursday.

“Players come to us [at the national team], they improve, and then they return to their clubs. What’s supposed to happen is that they improve at their clubs and they come to us ready and in good shape. So we are truly suffering.

“I hope that all the big and respected clubs in the league can play football at a higher level and can increase the physical conditioning of the players. Because that will ultimately help the national team. Because I don’t have enough time with the players.”

The statements dominated the news cycle on the eve of the Angola game, and things worsened when Egypt were held to a goalless draw at Cairo International Stadium in a homecoming game that saw Hassan inexplicably substitute Salah in the 60th minute.

Hassan later said in the post-game press conference that his decision to take off Salah was for “technical reasons”.

The following morning, news broke that Salah had left the national team camp, despite there being two more games scheduled for this international break – an Afcon qualifier against South Sudan in Juba on Tuesday and a friendly against South Africa back in Cairo on October 4.

Hassan surprised reporters by saying he had nothing to do with arranging the South Africa game and the EFA decided to add it to the agenda; another indication that not everyone is on the same page within the national team ecosystem.

Statements and reaction

Following Salah’s departure, the EFA released a statement saying it was a prearranged decision, made before the Angola game, by the national team's technical staff.

The reason given was that the South Sudan game would be played on an artificial pitch, which, potentially, could increase the Trabzonspor star's risk of injury.

Despite the EFA’s statement, football insiders reported that there was more to Salah’s departure and that he left because of the unrest within the team, caused by Hassan’s comments and actions.

The situation has dominated every news outlet in Egypt since Saturday morning, with many describing it as a “crisis”.

Former Egypt and Tottenham striker Mido said on X he found Hassan’s statements to be “narcissistic”, while ex-Zamalek and Egypt forward Shikabala criticised the coach’s defensive strategy in a home game against Angola and said Hassan was being “stubborn”.

“He wants people to say that ‘I am the one who benched [Omar] Marmoush, I am the one who pulled Salah’. Why would I take off Salah in the 60th minute? What technical part of the game is Salah incapable of doing? Salah sat on a rock [in Turkey]; it became a touristic landmark,” Shikabala added, speaking on MBC Masr.

Another former Zamalek and Egypt star, Hazem Emam, questioned Hassan’s decisions, which he said had divided people rather than united them, and said they were unnecessary given the fanfare and goodwill that surrounded Hassan and the team after their World Cup heroics.

“Captain Hossam, you are a very big player and a very big coach, but you must admit that you have an issue with the statements you make in press conferences. It causes you lots of problems and it ruins all the good work you’ve done. What’s the use of publicly targeting two great players on your own team? It’s so unnecessary,” Emam said on On Sport.

“Captain Hossam has a big problem. He always feels underappreciated; that no one appreciates his work, and I don’t know why. As a player, everyone considered him a legend of the Egyptian game, and at the World Cup, people said he is the best coach to ever manage Egypt.

"I don’t know why he finds the need to recount all of his achievements over and over again. Let the people list your achievements instead. Why take credit for El Shenawy? Why describe him as finished? Why say Emam Ashour would have spent a year recovering from a virus had it not been for you? He plays for a club and it’s normal that the clubs are the ones that prepare their players.

“Calling the league poor, that really upset me. And he would have been upset had he been coaching in the league and someone said that. Ninety per cent of your players are from the league. He shouldn’t say these things.”

Acclaimed TV host and media personality Amr Adib said Hassan went from “national hero to national problem” in the span of 48 hours.

"حديثي عن تصريحات محمد الشناوي فهم خطأ.. وأحترم

 الجميع" 🇪🇬

حسام حسن خلال المؤتمر الصحفي الخاص بمباراة مصر وجنوب السودان 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/HvPJjJyucU

— EFA.eg (@EFA) September 28, 2026

Amid this media storm, Hassan addressed reporters in Juba on Monday and clarified his previous statements.

He said his comments on El Shenawy were “misinterpreted” and that he was simply referring to the goalkeeper’s previous shoulder injury that kept him out for some time.

He also insisted that Salah’s departure was prearranged and that it wasn’t the first time the former Liverpool star had skipped games played on artificial grass, citing past fixtures against Cape Verde and Mauritania as examples.

“There is no conflict,” Hassan assured. “We are in our best state right now. We just got back from the World Cup; this was our first game back.”

The National's view

Hassan claims Salah will be back with the team for the South Africa game on home soil on Sunday, but that remains to be seen.

The EFA, at least publicly, seems to be behind Hassan, who, together with his twin brother Ibrahim, the director of the national team, has renewed his contract until 2030.

Victory against South Sudan on Tuesday will be essential for the noise around the head coach to die down, who has already shown great restraint in his rhetoric during the pre-game press conference in Juba.

As Emam mentioned, Hassan has spent too much time listing his accomplishments and should instead get back to letting the team’s form and results do the talking.

pic.twitter.com/I0YEi117lE

— EFA.eg (@EFA) September 28, 2026

What the Pharaohs were able to achieve in North America over the summer was unprecedented, and it raised the hopes and expectations of 120 million Egyptian fans, who are now dreaming of African glory and further success on the global stage.

Egypt’s Afcon qualification journey had an ominous start, but there is still time to course-correct and get back on track.

What’s important to remember is that the Egyptian national team is not a vanity project and should never be treated as such. Decisions should be based on merit, not personal feelings, but that doesn’t mean words don’t matter and feelings can’t be hurt.

The South Sudan game may not be make-or-break for Egypt’s Afcon ambitions, but it certainly bears a lot of weight for Hassan’s second term with the Pharaohs.

- Reem Abulleil

PEPE THIAW HAD TO GO AFTER DISASTROUS WORLD CUP, BUT HIS SENEGAL LEGACY WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN

 

Pape Thiaw said that issues relating to his own contract and the payment of Senegal players' bonuses have been resolved. Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images

Senegal announced the dismissal of head coach Pape Thiaw this weekend, ending a tenure that closes in World Cup ignominy, but one which will enter the annals of Senegalese and African football.

He departs after a disastrous tournament, amidst administrative dysfunction, dressing room unrest, public criticism and tactical errors. Yet he also leaves having restored Senegal to the summit of African football, whose Africa Cup of Nations triumph - underpinned by his staging a walk-out in the final - will endure both for the boost it gave Senegalese football, and - briefly at least - for the pan-African sentiment it inspired.

When Aliou Cisse was let go in October 2024, Senegalese football was not united behind the decision. The respected Cisse had taken Senegal to the top of the African game during his decade-long tenure - winning the country's first Africa Cup of Nations - but lost his job after a disappointing AFCON in 2024.

Thiaw, who had been Cisse's assistant, represented continuity in personnel but was a more vocal, confident, brash figure than his predecessor.

The changes he introduced were subtle but effective; Krepin Diatta - formerly a winger - was established as the team's first choice right back while on the other flank El Hadji Malick Diouf was promoted to starting left back, and the pair gave Senegal clear attacking intent and quality delivery from wide positions. Some of the 2021 AFCON winners dropped out of the national pool altogether, Habib Diallo was deprioritised, and Iliman Ndiaye became more prominent - even if, right until the end, he arguably wasn't used entirely effectively.

Largely, however, Thiaw maintained the qualities that had anchored Senegalese success under Cisse: the impermeable defensive triangle, a muscular/combative midfield, the inspiration of Sadio Mane, and fast, mobile attacking options.

During the AFCON, Senegal were rarely exhilarating, but they conceded just two in seven throughout the tournament, although their final victory over Morocco will never purely be a footballing victory.

In the weekend ahead of the showdown, Thiaw had publicly urged the Confederation of African Football to protect African football's credibility amid growing perceptions that Morocco, as hosts and future World Cup 2030 co-hosts, were benefiting from favourable treatment.Thiaw urged Morocco to protect the 'image of Africa' ahead of the final, while citing logistics, training facilities, accommodation and ticketing as four areas in which he felt Senegal had been treated unfairly.

Many African countries - particularly those who had already been eliminated by Morocco, feeling that the deck had been stacked against them - applauded Thiaw for standing up to the authorities. Perhaps this emboldened him ahead of his behaviour in the Rabat final.

A disallowed Senegal goal was promptly followed by a penalty awarded to Morocco following extensive VAR consultation by Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala. The sense of injustice proved too much for Thiaw, who ordered his players off the field amidst crowd violence and frantic scenes between the two benches.

Pape Thiaw Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto

For over ten minutes, the fate of the final hung in the balance, with the game descending into perhaps the ugliest spectacle African football has ever witnessed. Certainly, the 'image of Africa' was damaged... and Thiaw was its architect.

The final eventually resumed; Brahim Diaz, rattled by the delay, opted for a Panenka, Edouard Mendy saved, the match went to extra time, and Pape Gueye scored the winner. Diplomatic relations between Morocco and Senegal still haven't recovered, it remains to be seen whether and how the AFCON brand will be damaged by the incident into the future.

History will never completely absolve Thiaw for the decisions he made that night. Afterwards, he insisted that he was merely thinking of his players: "I simply tried to protect my players from injustice," he posted on Instagram. "What some will see as a violation of the rules is nothing more than an emotional reaction to the bias of the situation."

As an excuse, it didn't fly. CAF suspended him for five months and imposed a substantial fine for bringing the game into disrepute. In Senegal, the response - and his standing - could not have been more different. The scenes upon the team's return were extraordinary; thousands greeted the champions as conquering heroes. Thiaw, despite his suspension, and despite continental criticism, had delivered another continental crown. In Dakar, he was celebrated as a man who had refused to bow, regardless of the consequences.

This affection extended beyond Senegal's borders, with Thiaw seen as a Robin Hood figure in the face of perceived, alleged, CAF-Morocco collusion.

When the Teranga Lions assembled again during the March international window, the reception in Paris at the Stade de France from Senegal's vast diaspora reflected just how deeply Africa's new champions connected with their supporters. Thiaw was relaxed, smiling, almost overwhelmed by the scale of the appreciation. Maybe his $100,000 fine was a small price to pay for becoming a national hero and bringing home a second AFCON crown.

Few could have imagined that four months later he would be gone.

Everything has unravelled with alarming speed, with the World Cup exposing weaknesses that AFCON glory had once concealed. Some were tactical, some related to personnel; Thiaw's continued reliance upon Kalidou Koulibaly despite his decline and recent injury absence appeared sentimental rather than pragmatic, and Senegal's once immaculate defensive structure began creaking.

Gabriel BOUYS / AFP via Getty Images

The collapse from 2-0 ahead against Belgium - arguably facilitated by Thiaw's perplexing substitutions - will haunt him for years, as Senegal surrendered control, lost the initiative, and watched Belgium sense vulnerability before staging a remarkable comeback.

Other weaknesses were administrative. The tournament became overshadowed by reports of contractual uncertainty, disputes with the federation, payment disagreements, inadequate preparation, catering problems within the camp, logistics issues, unprofessional behaviour, conflicting agendas and persistent distractions surrounding bonuses.

Koulibaly told EPSN that he didn't believe the external factors had an impact on the team's on-field struggles. "I think we're looking for excuses. That's stuff outside of football. We need to focus on the pitch and on what happens there."

Thiaw publicly agreed, but even the fact he was answering administrative questions midway through a World Cup was a problem. "There have been some issues," he said. "But whatever they are, the players, the coaching staff, the federation are focused on [the Norway] match.

"The matter [of his contract] has been resolved. It's true that it took too long. The only thing I want to make clear is that it was never about money. It was a matter of principle and respect."

Not the words of a happy employee.

Rather than providing stability, Senegal's football authorities created instability and uncertainty. Thiaw confirmed that he didn't even have a contract when the tournament began, with a deal only being done - belatedly - ahead of the Norway game.

Thiaw seemed transformed. Gone was the confidence, the composure, the bravado of January...this was a coach who had smiled calmly in the post-AFCON final press conference as Moroccan journalists hurled aggressive abuse at him before ultimately boycotting the interaction.

Photo by Sarah Stier - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

Instead, his answers were shortened, his voice slow and monotone, his demeanour downtrodden. The dressing room also fractured.

Gueye didn't mention Thiaw specifically in his post-tournament Instagram announcement that he would no longer represent Senegal while the existing 'technical staff' are in place but expressed his dissatisfaction with the coach very visibly as he was substituted against Belgium. Others were forced to come out on social media to deny reports of rifts and dissatisfaction. By the time the Senegalese Football Federation acted this weekend, the outcome felt inevitable.

It's impossible to ignore that the federation dismissed a coach whose own authority had repeatedly been undermined by the very institution now judging him. Maybe they were never entirely convinced by Thiaw, his tactics, his behaviour at the AFCON, the PR consequences, and are quietly happy to have parted ways with a character who they could hardly have dismissed in the immediate aftermath of his Nations Cup triumph.

Thiaw's story - his remarkable triumph, and his World Cup failure - is one of nuanced situations. The glories of January could not come without the ignominy of that final, nor could the disastrous collapse against Belgium not be truly understood without the troubled context in which Senegal attempted to tackle this tournament.

The World Cup may have ended his tenure, but the Africa Cup of Nations - whether or not it officially ends up with Senegal - will ensure that he will never be forgotten.

- Ed Dove

CAF AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS | KENYA 🇰🇪, TANZANIA 🇹🇿. , UGANDA 🇺🇬 | GROUP L

 

SENEGAL STRIPPED OF AFCON TITLE, MOROCCO DECLARED CHAMPIONS

Senegal say they will appeal after they were sensationally stripped of the Africa Cup of Nations title on Tuesday and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) instead declared Morocco champions

Senegal stripped of AFCON title
AFP

Senegal say they will appeal after they were sensationally stripped of the Africa Cup of Nations title on Tuesday and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) instead declared Morocco champions, two months after their chaotic final. Several Senegalese players controversially walked off the pitch in Rabat during the final on January 18 in protest when the hosts were awarded a penalty late in second-half stoppage time. After Senegal's players eventually returned having been coaxed back onto the pitch by captain Sadio Mane, Morocco missed the penalty and Pape Gueye went on to score the goal in extra time that gave his team a 1-0 victory.

CAF said that having studied Morocco's appeal, "the Senegal national team is declared to have forfeited the match" and the result was "officially recorded as 3-0" in favour of Morocco.

The CAF Appeals Committee justified its decision by applying Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON Regulations, which state that if a team "refuses to play or leaves the ground before the regular end of the match without the authorisation of the referee, it shall be considered (loser) and shall be eliminated for good from the current competition".

The articles add that the team contravening the regulations "will lose its match by 3-0".

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) said in a statement its appeal "was never intended to contest the sporting performance of the teams participating in this competition, but solely to request the application of the competition regulations".

"The Federation reaffirms its commitment to respecting the rules, to the clarity of the competitive framework, and to the stability of African competitions," the statement added.

Senegal's football authorities said they will appeal "as soon as possible" to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

"The Senegalese Football Federation condemns this unjust, unprecedented and unacceptable decision, which brings African football into disrepute," it said in a statement.

Chaotic scenes

Minutes before the end of the match, some Senegalese supporters attempted a pitch invasion, while Senegal's players halted the game for nearly 20 minutes to protest the late penalty awarded to Morocco.

The controversial spot-kick was awarded by Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala right at the end of the allotted eight added minutes in normal time following a VAR check for a challenge on Brahim Diaz by El Hadji Malick Diouf.

The game was goalless at the time and Diaz could have won the trophy for Morocco with the spot-kick in the 24th minute of added time at the end of normal time.

But Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy easily saved the weak attempted 'Panenka' chip by the Real Madrid winger, who was clearly distracted by the long delay that followed the penalty award.

The game at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium then went to extra time, and Gueye's brilliant 94th-minute strike won it for Senegal. 

Several of the team's players posted on social media after the announcement that they had been stripped of the title.

Defender Moussa Niakhate, who plays for French club Lyon, posted a picture of himself lifting the Africa Cup of Nations trophy with a message that said "they're mad", in an apparent reference to CAF.

In the immediate aftermath of the final, FIFA president Gianni Infantino had condemned "some Senegal players" for the "unacceptable scenes".

"It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this manner, and equally, violence cannot be tolerated in our sport, it is simply not right," Infantino, who attended the match, said.

In late January, CAF imposed a series of disciplinary sanctions, including fines amounting to several hundred thousand euros, on the federations of both countries for unsportsmanlike conduct and violations of fair play principles.

The appeal trial of 18 Senegalese supporters, imprisoned since the final and sentenced to prison terms ranging from three months to one year for "hooliganism," which was scheduled to take place on Monday, has been postponed until March 30.

- Agence-France Presse

VICTOR WANYAMA EXPLAINS HOW BENNI MCCARTHY CAN LEAD HARAMBEE STARS TO AFCON 2027 GLORY

Victor Wanyama feels Harambee Stars can surprise at AFCON 2027.

Former Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama is backing Kenya to surprise at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations due to a number of factors.

Former Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama has shared what gives him confidence of a successful 2027 Africa Cup of Nations for Kenya.

Kenya will be one of the co-hosts for AFCON 2027 alongside neighbours Kenya and Uganda and there is pressure to impress on home soil.

However, history suggests it might be a struggle to get out of their group given they have never gone past that level at all their previous six AFCON appearances.

Wanyama, however, feels Kenya do have enough quality and can spring a surprise when heavily motivated and pushed on by fans as seen during the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN 2024).

What is Wanyama Banking on For AFCON Success?

“We hosted CHAN, and nobody expected the local players to perform the way they did. That showed that with fans behind them at home, anything is possible,” Wanyama said on the Obi One Podcast.

“I believe in the boys; they have quality, and with proper training and preparation, they can beat any team on home soil.

The former Southampton and Tottenham midfielder is calling on early and proper preparation for the national team ahead of the continental tournament if Kenya have to post positive results.

“With good preparation and the same spirit they showed during CHAN, coupled with the support they received then, we have the potential to be the best,” he further said.

CHAN Experience Will Be Vital For Kenya

“We need to invest in infrastructure, give young players opportunities, focus on grassroots football, establish strong and well-structured youth leagues, and support academies. That is how we can develop many quality players.”

Kenya had an impressive run at CHAN 2024, when they finished top of a group that had Morocco, eventual winners of the competition, DR Congo, Angola and Zambia, making it to the quarter-final where they lost to Madagascar on post-match penalties.

Identical 1-0 wins against DR Congo, Morocco and Zambia, coupled with a 1-1 draw with Angola saw Benni McCarthy’s team finish top of a ‘Group of Death’ that few gave them a chance of getting out of.

- Joel Omotto 

AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS | ALL-TIME TOP SCORERS

 

MOROCCO BEHAVED LIKE 'CLOWNS' DESPITE BEING 'PAMPERD' BY AFCON REFS WITHOUT ANY SHAME THOUGH OUT THE TOURNAMENT 🫠

 

'SHAMEFUL': HOW CONTROVERSIAL AFCON FINAL DESCENDED INTO TOTAL CHAOS

Senegal players stormed off the pitch after last-gasp penalty award before returning to beat Morocco in extra time

MAYHEM: THE AFCON FINAL BETWEEN MOROCCO AND SENEGAL WILL LIVE LONG IN THE MEMORY - FOR THE WRONG REASONS
AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

A missed Panenka in the 24th minute of stoppage time, a team storming off the pitch and ultimately a second Africa Cup of Nations title for Senegal.

That, though, barely scratches the surface in telling the story of a truly extraordinary AFCON final on Sunday night.

Pape Gueye scored a brilliant extra-time winner to leave Morocco devastated in front of their home fans in Rabat.

Either side of that strike, total chaos ensued. Here’s what happened - and all the fallout.

Senegal goal ruled out

For 90 minutes, it had been a typical cagey, tense final. It remained goalless heading into eight minutes of stoppage time, at which point the mayhem began.

Senegal thought they had won it when Crystal Palace winger Ismaila Sarr nodded into the net on the rebound after Abdoulaye Seck's header had hit the woodwork.

However, the whistle had already gone as the referee deemed Seck to have fouled Achraf Hakimi.

Replays showed that to be a harsh decision, with Hakimi going down under minimal contact, but the quick whistle meant that VAR could not intervene.

Morocco lucky to get penalty

DRAMA: BRAHIM DIAZ’S LAST-GASP PANENKA PENALTY ATTEMPT WAS EASILY SAVED BY EDOUARD MENDY
AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

A few minutes later, Morocco won a corner of their own at the other end.

West Ham’s El Hadji Malick Diouf headed to safety, having beaten Brahim Diaz to the ball. Diaz went down theatrically and appealed for a penalty.

The referee was sent to the pitchside monitor for a VAR review and then gave the penalty, deciding that Diouf had dragged Diaz to the ground before clearing the ball.

Chaos on and off the pitch

The two benches were already clashing as the referee went to the screen and that escalated when he then pointed to the spot.

Ismaila Sarr was booked for dissent and the Senegal players did not leave the penalty area as they continued to protest the decision.

Senegal's supporter group were sat at the other end of the stadium but they began jumping over the hoardings. Others threw chairs at stewards.

SENEGAL FANS CLASH WITH SECURITY DURING THE AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS FINAL
AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

Riot police arrived on the scene and dragged several supporters away as clashes continued between fans and security personnel.

Gary Lineker was in the stadium and said it had "all got very horribly violent".

Senegal players walk off

Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw was incensed by the decision to award a penalty and waved at his players to come off the pitch in response.

The match was delayed for around 17 minutes as a result, with Sadio Mane having to go down the tunnel to urge his team-mates to come back on.

It appeared to be in doubt whether Senegal would return, but eventually the decision was made to continue the match.

Mane said after the game: "The referee can sometimes make mistakes, but we don’t know.

“We’re in the game and people judge. It could have been a penalty or not, but that wasn’t the most important thing. The most important thing was the people who were watching.

“I think that would convey a negative image of our football. I think Africa today does not deserve that.”

Diaz fluffs his lines

It was the 114th minute of the match by the time Diaz finally got his chance to step up and take the penalty.

On his return to the pitch, Edouard Mendy was booked for seemingly scuffing the spot. The ex-Chelsea goalkeeper then walked up and stood over the ball as Diaz waited to take the penalty.

Had he converted it, Diaz would have been a Moroccan legend forever. Instead, he attempted a Panenka and watched in horror as Mendy stood still and made the easiest save of his life.

Battle for a towel

Yehvann Diouf had a busy night and did not play a single minute.

The Senegal goalkeeper was tasked with protecting Mendy's towel in wet, slippery conditions. It turned into an extraordinary sequence of events.

The Moroccan ball boys repeatedly tried to snatch the towel away from him. In one incident, Diouf was lying on his stomach with the towel underneath him as a ball boy dragged him by the back of his coat.

SENEGAL COACH PAPE THIAW ORDERED HIS PLAYERS OFF THE PITCH IN REMARKABLE SCENES
AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

Diouf was eventually chased down the touchline, backpedaling as several people chased after him.

Hakimi threw another one of Mendy's towels over the advertising hoardings, with El Hadji Malick Diouf jumping over the barrier to retrieve it.

How the managers reacted

Morocco boss Walid Regragui was unsurprisingly scathing in his response to Senegal storming off the pitch. He hit out at counterpart Thiaw.

“The image we’ve given of Africa is shameful," Regragui said.

"A coach who asks his players to leave the field... what Pape did does not honour Africa.”

Thiaw walked into his press conference and was met by cheers from Senegalese journalists and boos from the Moroccan press.

Arguments broke out between them as Thiaw sat down waiting, before he decided to walk out without speaking as the confrontations continued.

Elsewhere, Thiaw said sorry for leading his players off the pitch.

"I apologise for the football,” he said. “After reflecting on it I made them come back [on the pitch] - you can react in the heat of the moment. We accept the errors of the referee.

“We shouldn't have done it but it's done and now we present our apologies to football."

What else has been said?

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said: “It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this manner, and equally, violence cannot be tolerated in our sport, it is simply not right.”

CAF released a statement on Monday morning in response to the various incidents, with punishments on the way.

It read: "The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) condemns the unacceptable behaviour of some players and officials during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Final between Morocco and Senegal in Rabat last night.

"CAF strongly condemns any inappropriate behaviour which occurs during matches, especially those targeting the refereeing team or match organizers.

"CAF is reviewing all footage and will refer the matter to competent bodies for appropriate action to be taken against those found guilty."

- MATT VERRI

AFCON FINAL HIGHLIGHTS | SENEGAL VS. MOROCCO

 

NATIONS WITH MOST TITLES IN AFCON HISTORY

 

ISHOW SPEED SURPRISED FANS AT THE AFCON FINAL IN MOROCCO

IShowSpeed surprised fans at the AFCON final in Morocco dressed as the tournament's mascot 😂

MAN OF THE COMPETITION | SADIO MANE

 

SENEGAL VS. MOROCCO | BRUTAL BLOW TO AFCON FINAL

 

CAF AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS 2025 | FINAL

 

STANLEY NWABALI | NIGERIA’S NO.1 | AFCON 2025

 

EGYPT VS. NIGERIA | FULL PENALTIES | AFCON 2025

 

OFFICIAL AFCON 2025 MATCH BALL 🔥

 

MATCH OF THE DAY | EGYPT VS.NIGERIA | AFCON THIRD PLACE

 

AFCON MEME | REG WHO HELPED MOROCCO WIN SEMI-FINALS

 

One job. One Ghanaian. One result: Super Eagles out. Thanks, Daniel Nii Laryea 😏 Trust Nigerians—they’ll never forget.

#PulseSportsAFCON25 #AFCON #AFCON2025