AFCON Final Controversy: Senegal Triumphs as Questions Surround Morocco and CAF
Senegal defeated host Morocco 1–0 in a dramatic and controversial AFCON final in Rabat on January 18, 2026. The match was marked by disputed refereeing decisions, a late penalty for Morocco, Senegal’s temporary walk-off in protest, and off-field incidents involving ball boys and officials. Senegal scored the winning goal in the 94th minute, securing their second AFCON title under Sadio Mané’s leadership. Post-match tension continued as CAF banned the Senegal coach, while no official action or statement has been issued regarding Morocco’s conduct, leaving fans questioning fairness and accountability.
Muhammad Saad Ismail 
The end of AFCON raised tons of questions, not only about the Moroccan Federation but also about the Confederation of African Football. Was it all wrong on Senegal’s end that their head coach was punished? Is there any kind of investigation that will go on?
January 18th, 2026, in Rabat, the champion of Africa was crowned. While everyone was highly rating host Morocco to lift the title, it was Sadio Mané and company who made Senegal champions. The scorecard was simple: a 1–0 narrow win for Senegal over Hakimi’s XI. But it was not as simple as it looked.
Before the game, the battle had already kicked off, where the Senegalese coach criticized the decision-making system. Somewhere, he was already warning about a possible controversy. And a similar thing happened, but let’s start from the beginning of the showdown, where both sides went on attacking with pride and reclamation.
But no one was able to score until the 90+24 minute, where Morocco won a penalty. It seemed like it would be the end of the game, but a dramatic turn followed as Senegal left the field in protest. Captain Sadio Mané tried his best to convince the team to return and fight for the title. Senegal returned to the pitch, and Brahim Díaz stepped up to take the penalty. He went for a Panenka.
The selection of the shooter was ridiculous; many were stunned as to why Ashraf Hakimi did not step up to take the shot. In the end, they failed to convert.
This milestone was followed by opposition behavior, even when the home side’s ball boys fought with the backup goalkeeper. That issue was a bit tricky, as they were not just typical incidents.
In the 94th minute, Senegal got a chance, and they scored a goal, 1–0. Now things were pretty clear, but then the off-field fights began, where home-side ball boys and stewards tried to steal towels from the opponent's goalkeeper. But in the end, the reserve goalkeeper saved Mendy’s towel. Even senior players like Hakimi were captured doing that ungraceful act.
With the final whistle, Senegal won AFCON, and Mané won his second AFCON. But things did not stop here. After winning, the press conference went dramatically, where every Moroccan media person stopped interviewing the Senegal champion coach.
Earlier today, CAF banned the Senegal coach, while until now there has been no statement on what Morocco did throughout the tournament, especially what they did in the final game. Football fans want answers.
