Tag: AFCON

Morocco’s football federation (FRMF) said ON Tuesday   it would appeal the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) disciplinary rulings over last month’s chaotic Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal, which the hosts lost 1-0 after extra time.

FRMF criticised the sanctions as disproportionate to the “seriousness and gravity” of the incidents during the 18 January match, which was overshadowed by a 14-minute interruption after Senegalese players staged a walk-off, a pitch invasion by their fans and confrontations involving players and staff.

CAF’s Disciplinary Committee handed Senegal’s coach Pape Thiaw a five-match ban and fined him $100,000 (£82,000) after he instructed his team to leave the pitch following a VAR decision to disallow a goal late in regular time.

Senegal’s football federation was fined $615,000 (£508,000) for the behaviour of their players and supporters, with Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr receiving two-match bans for unsporting actions directed at the referee.

Morocco, whose appeal to have the match result overturned was rejected by CAF, were also hit with sanctions totalling $315,000 (£260,000).

Their penalties relate to what CAF described as misconduct by Moroccan players, staff, and supporters, including the use of laser pointers and improper intervention in the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) area.

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Captain Achraf Hakimi was handed a two-match suspension, one of which is suspended for a year, while Ismael Saibari was banned for three games, with both players penalised for attempting to remove Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy’s towel in heavy rain conditions.

“The FRMF will appeal the decisions in order to safeguard all rights guaranteed by law,” said a statement issued by the federation, which specifically cited “the withdrawal of Senegalese players and the conduct of their supporters” during the final as grounds for contesting the rulings.

CAF, however, described the tournament as a success overall, highlighting record revenues despite the controversy surrounding the final.

CAF confirmed the sanctions will apply to its competitions, further souring the conclusion to what Morocco had hoped would be a triumphant campaign on home soil.

Villarreal midfielder Pape Gueye is floating this week after proving Senegal’s match winner in Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final.

Brahim had the chance to win the final for Morocco from the penalty spot late on against Senegal, but fluffed his attempt at a Panenka.

With the game going into extra-time, Gueye struck the winner to deliver Senegal a 1-0 triumph against the home nation.

He told RMC Sport: “I just woke up after an hour’s sleep. We didn’t sleep, we celebrated among ourselves. Winning the second star for the country is a source of pride.”

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On his goal, Gueye continued: “We knew we could hit them on the counterattack. Sadio recovered, ran, and back-heeled it to Gana Gueye. At that moment, I knew I had to be there. I controlled the ball, felt Hakimi approaching, added a touch, and shot without thinking: it was my chance.”

On his hero status, the midfielder insisted:  “I don’t feel like one. It’s the work of an entire team, a staff, and a country. Today I scored, but there was a huge effort behind it.”

After the tensions of the final, the message is one of relaxation.

“Everything is back to normal. We’re competitive, we want to win, but one match will never break the bond between Senegalese and Moroccans. The Cup now returns to Dakar.”

Tens of thousands of Senegal football fans lined the streets of Dakar on Tuesday as the Lions of Teranga held a victory parade to celebrate their triumph in the Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco.

The players and coaches brandished their trophy from an open-top bus which inched its way through immense crowds across the capital, winding towards the country’s presidential palace.

As the players travelled the final stretch of their journey along the city’s Oceanside highway, the Corniche, fans walked and sometimes ran alongside the bus, with throngs of people lining the sidewalks.

Downtown was overcome by a fever pitch of almost deafening noise – revving engines, horns, vuvuzelas and shouting – as the players neared the palace, where they will be officially received.

In the morning, thousands had gathered at the parade’s starting point in Patte d’Oie, a working-class neighbourhood across town, wearing team jerseys, chanting, whistling and blowing vuvuzelas.

All along the route old and young, men and women turned out decked in the country’s green, yellow and red colours, sometimes watching on from buildings and bridges, or even climbing on top of cars and billboards.

Security forces were also present in large numbers, including anti-riot police.

Supporters crowd the streets as the Senegal national team’s bus winds from the working-class neighbourhood of Patte d’Oie to the country’s presidential palace, on January 20, 2026

The Senegal team made its way across the capital after arriving on a special flight from Morocco shortly before midnight on Monday, where they were greeted by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and other members of the government.

Senegal won the Africa Cup of Nations when they beat hosts Morocco 1-0 in a chaotic final in Rabat on Sunday that saw the eventual champions storm off the pitch late in the game.

 “I wouldn’t have missed this moment for the world,” 26-year-old fan Doudou Thiam told AFP from the parade’s sidelines in the Bourguiba neighbourhood, wearing a Senegal jersey.

 “The Lions are our pride and they deserve all the honours. Even if it meant staying here all day, I would have done it”, he said.

A player holds Senegal’s trophy during their victory parade in Dakar after beating Morocco 1-0 in a chaotic final in Rabat

A ruckus of whistles and horns has been almost constant since Senegal’s victory on Sunday night, when fans flooded the streets, filling the air with honking, fireworks and the deafening roar of vuvuzelas.

The win marked Senegal’s second title, after their 2022 victory over Egypt in Cameroon. It was the team’s third final in just the last four editions.

Hortense Kenny brought her five-year-old child to Patte d’Oie to watch the parade.

 “The Lions made an entire nation proud, beating the host country in those circumstances,” she told AFP, referring to the end of the match.

Senegalese football supporters wait for the open-top bus taking the AFCON winners through the streets of Dakar on Tuesday

 “Now, all that’s left is to win the World Cup. With Sadio Mane, anything is possible,” she said, referencing the team’s biggest star.

His role as peacemaker during the final – he was the one who stayed on the pitch and persuaded his teammates to return – has been widely praised.

Nearby Abdulai Sy, a 49-year-old, told AFP he felt personally touched by the victory which gave him a “big sense of pride to also be Senegalese”.

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Tuesday’s crowd seemed unfazed by a cloud of controversy surrounding their team’s decision to storm off the pitch late in normal time in protest at a penalty awarded to Morocco.

Prompted by Mane, they returned to the pitch and an attempted ‘Panenka’ penalty from Morocco’s Brahim Diaz was easily saved by Senegal’s goalkeeper before Pape Gueye won the game with a superb shot in extra time that stunned the Moroccan crowd.

Senegal football supporters lined the route of the victory parade while others dashed to find a good vantage point

The Moroccan FA said it had referred the incidents, including protests from Senegal players and fans, to the Confederation of African Football and FIFA.

Far from Morocco, football’s lucrative business side had trickled down even to the streets of Dakar on Tuesday.

Amath Ndiaye, a 36-year-old street vendor who usually sells tissues, told AFP he has switched to hawking jerseys, flags, vuvuzelas and whistles for the duration of AFCON and the celebratory aftermath.

On Tuesday, he was basking in the wisdom of his decision.

 “I’m doing well,” he told AFP from Patte d’Oie, near the joyous crowd decked out in patriotic Senegalese gear and waving flags.

Senegal’s dramatic victory over host nation Morocco in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final has further reshaped the historical landscape of African football, as the Teranga Lions secured their second AFCON title and strengthened their place among the continent’s elite.

The hard-fought triumph in Rabat, decided in extra time, not only ended Morocco’s hopes of lifting the trophy on home soil but also confirmed Senegal’s growing pedigree as a modern African powerhouse. With that success, attention has once again turned to the all-time AFCON winners list, highlighting the nations that have consistently dominated Africa’s biggest football stage.

Below is a breakdown of the countries with the most AFCON titles, their history, and how they achieved their success.

1. Egypt – 7 titles

Egypt remain the most successful nation in AFCON history, a record built on decades of dominance. The Pharaohs lifted their first title in 1957 and went on to establish an era of supremacy, particularly between 2006 and 2010, when they won three consecutive tournaments. Renowned for their tactical discipline, strong domestic league, and ability to perform under pressure, Egypt’s seven titles set the benchmark for excellence in African football.

2. Cameroon – 5 titles

Cameroon sit second on the all-time list with five AFCON crowns. The Indomitable Lions enjoyed golden eras in the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s, producing iconic players such as Roger Milla and Samuel Eto’o. Their success has often been built on physical strength, attacking flair, and a strong mentality in knockout matches, making them one of Africa’s most feared tournament teams.

3. Ghana – 4 titles

Ghana’s four AFCON titles underline their long-standing reputation as one of Africa’s traditional football giants. The Black Stars dominated the competition during the 1960s and early 1980s, with a style of play rooted in technical quality and tactical awareness. Although they have not won the tournament in recent decades, Ghana remain a regular contender and a respected force across the continent.

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4. Nigeria – 3 titles

Nigeria have lifted the AFCON trophy three times, reflecting their consistency and depth of talent over the years. The Super Eagles claimed their titles in 1980, 1994, and 2013, each victory marking a different generation of stars. Known for their athleticism, attacking football, and ability to rise to big occasions, Nigeria continue to be a major presence in African football.

5. Ivory Coast – 2 titles

Ivory Coast have won the AFCON twice, with triumphs in 1992 and 2015. The Elephants’ success has often been driven by a golden generation of players, including Didier Drogba and Yaya Touré. Despite several near-misses and final defeats, Ivory Coast’s two titles underline their resilience and capacity to compete at the highest level.

6. Senegal – 2 titles

Senegal’s latest success against Morocco has elevated them into the group of two-time AFCON champions. After winning their maiden title in 2021, the Teranga Lions have now confirmed that triumph was no fluke. Built on defensive solidity, tactical discipline, and world-class talent, Senegal’s second crown signals the rise of a new dominant force in African football, capable of challenging the historical giants in the years ahead.

With Senegal’s victory adding fresh momentum to their footballing journey, the AFCON honours list continues to evolve, blending historic dominance with emerging powerhouses and reinforcing the tournament’s status as one of the most competitive continental championships in world football.