Africa’s football federation CAF, shocked the footballing world on Tuesday evening, turning Senegal’s AFCON 2025 victory into a 3-0 defeat, handing Morocco their first AFCON trophy in 49 years.
This is how the world reacted to CAF’s controversial decision.
AFCON’s all-time top scorer and Cameroon football president Samuel Eto’o shared his thoughts on the decision.
🚨🗣️Samuel Eto’o on CAF giving Morocco the AFCON:
“CAF just made AFCON the biggest joke on planet football, You lose the final and still lift the trophy 2 month later”
“The whole world know the real winners, Senegal. Morocco just for media……𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 pic.twitter.com/AgUjiwOrS9
— Official Blessing (@BlessingGives) March 18, 2026
Manchester United legend Patrice Evra ridiculed CAF for bringing AFCON’s reputation into disrepute.
🇫🇷🗣️ Patrice Evra on CAF stripping Senegal of the AFCON and giving it to Morocco::
“This is a disgrace for African football. A scandal. 😤
We all saw with our own eyes that Senegal won.
My Moroccan brothers, I like you, but at some point you can’t take it this far, guys.
The… pic.twitter.com/8531WM2nz4
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Footballtweet) March 18, 2026
Can CAF overturn a referee’s decision?
🔴 Lest we forget…… pic.twitter.com/ogBMB0kJVW
— robertmarawa (@robertmarawa) March 18, 2026
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Have Senegal really breached Article 82 and 84?
Senegal are likely to argue that they did not abandon the game, the match was completed by the referee’s whistle.
They can say Article 82 was misapplied because the game continued under the same circumstances and reached its natural end.
The referee allowing Senegal back on…
— Melissa Reddy (@MelissaReddy_) March 17, 2026
Senegal’s stars are not going to give up their trophy easily.
Senegal national team players took to social media to react following CAF’s announcement declaring Morocco as the 2025 AFCON champions 👀 pic.twitter.com/eohhvzjtJX
— ESPN Africa (@ESPNAfrica) March 17, 2026
Former Premier League striker Troy Deeney weighs in on the conversation.
“My best friend is Moroccan. He’s text in the break, ‘This isn’t how we want to win it.'”@T_Deeney and Nigel Reo-Coker discuss what the Moroccan players and fans might be feeling after CAF overturn the result of the AFCON final 🗣️🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/N42ehY1EzV
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 18, 2026
The Athletic’s David Ornstein speaks on CAF’s ‘crazy decision’.
“It’s absolute madness” 😯
Henry Winter and David Ornstein react to the news that Morocco have been awarded the 2025 AFCON following a ‘crazy decision’ to overturn Senegal’s victory 💬 pic.twitter.com/3K12jhogaE
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 18, 2026
Former Premier League midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker calls CAF an embarrassment to African football.
“Its an absolute embarrassment for CAF… It’s another reason where people will talk down on this competition.”
Nigel Reo-Coker shares his thoughts on CAF overturning the result of the AFCON final 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/g7MfsD98Ex
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 18, 2026
Senegal announce they will appeal the decision at the Court of Arbitration for sport.
BREAKING: Senegal say they will file an appeal over the decision to strip them of the AFCON title and award it to Morocco 🚨 pic.twitter.com/QIaCxVXaPO
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 18, 2026
Photo: Zamani Makautsi/Gallo Images
