More than a month after the curtain fell on the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco (AFCON 2025), the competition continues to generate debate.
Not just for its footballing excellence, but for the drama in the controversial finale that forced the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to step in with heavy disciplinary sanctions.
From Senegal’s march to the title, Morocco’s strong showing on home soil, and Nigeria’s explosive attacking numbers, to a final that descended into chaos, AFCON 2025 will be remembered as one of the most intense editions in the tournament’s history.
AFCON 2025: A Tournament That Left No Room for the Weak
AFCON Morocco 2025 delivered relentless intensity from the opening kickoff to the final whistle of the final.
The edition was defined by fully committed duels, dramatic swings of momentum, and statistics that underlined the growing competitiveness of African football.
Senegal emerged champions after a controlled and authoritative campaign.
Morocco finished as runners-up, while Nigeria claimed third place after leaving a strong statistical footprint filled with attacking firepower and possession dominance.
Final Podium Standings
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Champions: Senegal
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Runners-up: Morocco
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Third Place: Nigeria
Individual Awards: Stars Shine Across the Continent
Several standout performers were recognised for their impact:
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Player of the Tournament: Sadio Mané (Senegal)
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Top Scorer: Brahim Díaz (Morocco) – 5 goals
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Best Goalkeeper: Yassine Bounou (Morocco) – 5 clean sheets
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Best Playmaker: Ademola Lookman (Nigeria) – 4 assists
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Fair Play Award: Morocco
Team Performance Breakdown: Nigeria Lead the Numbers
AFCON 2025 produced 121 goals. Key team statistics include:
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Most consecutive wins: Nigeria – 5 wins
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Highest-scoring team: Nigeria – 14 goals
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Most goals conceded: Mozambique – 9 goals
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Best defence: Morocco, Comoros, DR Congo and Senegal – 2 goals conceded
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Highest average possession: Nigeria – 66%
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Most passes completed: Senegal – 3,562 passes
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Most shots attempted: Morocco and Senegal – 108 shots
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Most corners won: Senegal – 44
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Most offsides: Egypt – 15
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Most clean sheets: Senegal and Morocco – 5
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Most penalties converted: Morocco and Mali – 3
Discipline and Attendance: Numbers Behind the Intensity
The tournament’s physicality was reflected in disciplinary records:
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Most penalised team: Senegal – 17 yellow cards and 1 red card
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Total yellow cards: 210
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Total red cards: 9
Attendance peaked during the final:
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Highest attendance: Senegal vs Morocco – 66,526 spectators
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Venue: Stade Moulay Abdellah, Rabat
A Final That Descended Into Chaos
The AFCON 2025 final, played on January 18, was billed as a showpiece but ultimately became one of the most controversial matches in the competition’s history.
Even before kickoff, tensions were high. The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) had raised concerns about its treatment by the hosts, while skepticism surrounded officiating decisions following questionable calls in some of Morocco’s earlier matches.
For most of the final, the contest lived up to expectations, until stoppage time.
Referee Jean-Philippe Ndala made a controversial decision that ruled out a Senegal goal. Moments later, he awarded Morocco a highly disputed penalty.
That was the turning point.
Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw called his players into the dressing room in protest. It took the intervention of Sadio Mané to convince the team to return to the pitch.
Inside the stadium, chaos spilled into the stands, with fighting among fans and reports of injuries.
Morocco’s Brahim Díaz then missed the penalty, and deep into stoppage time, Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal that sealed Senegal’s victory.
Social Media Footage and Formal Protests
Beyond the scenes broadcast live, videos circulated on social media showing alleged misconduct by Moroccan individuals, including actions directed at Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
Despite wrongdoing on both sides, the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) filed an official complaint with CAF, requesting that the match be annulled.
CAF deliberated over the weekend and released its disciplinary decisions on Thursday morning.
CAF Disciplinary Decisions: Heavy Sanctions Handed Down
In an official communique, CAF announced the following sanctions:
Sanctions Against Senegal
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To suspend Mr Pape Thiaw, the Head Coach of Senegal, for five (5) official CAF matches for his unsporting conduct in violation of the CAF Disciplinary Code principles of fair play and integrity and for bringing the game into disrepute. Thiaw was also fined USD 100,000.
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To suspend Iliman Ndiaye for two (2) official CAF matches, for his unsporting behaviour towards the referee.
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To suspend Ismaila Sarr for two (2) official CAF matches for his unsporting behaviour towards the referee.
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To fine the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) USD 300,000 for the improper conduct of its supporters, which brought the game into disrepute in violation of the CAF Disciplinary Code principles of fair play and integrity.
Sanctions Related to Morocco
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To fine the FSF USD 300,000 for the unsporting conduct of their players and technical staff in violation of the CAF Disciplinary Code principles of fair play, loyalty and integrity. The unsporting conduct of their players and the technical staff also brought the game into disrepute.
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To fine FSF USD 15,000 for the misconduct of its National Team, due to five (5) of its players having received cautions.
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To suspend Achraf Hakimi for two (2) official CAF matches, with one (1) of these matches suspended for one (1) year from the date of the decision, for his unsporting behaviour.
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To suspend Ismaël Saibari for three (3) official CAF matches for his unsporting behaviour. He was also fined USD 100,000.
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To fine the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) USD 200,000 for the inappropriate behaviour of the stadium’s ball boys during the match.
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To fine the FRMF USD 100,000 for the improper conduct of their players and technical staff, who invaded the VAR review area and obstructed the referee’s work, in violation of the principles of fair play and integrity, as stated in Articles 82 and 83 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.
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To fine the FRMF USD 15,000 for the use of lasers by its supporters during the match.
CAF also addressed the protest lodged by the FRMF concerning alleged violations by the FSF under Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations.
