Senegal international goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, now a star at Al-Ahli Saudi FC, still can’t believe it: Morocco’s surprise triumph at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, awarded by default following a controversial decision by the Confederation of African Football, caught everyone off guard—including their rivals.
His blunt reaction says it all: “Morocco’s title came out of nowhere… At first, we thought it was an April Fool’s joke.” These words perfectly capture the widespread disbelief surrounding this unprecedented outcome, after a final officially recorded as a 3-0 win for the Morocco national football team against Senegal national football team, who were declared to have forfeited.
On January 18, Senegal initially lifted the trophy after an epic final against Morocco. However, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation filed a protest, citing alleged irregularities in the opposing squad. The CAF Appeals Committee ruled in Morocco’s favor, stripping Senegal of the title and awarding it to Morocco by default.
According to official documents, the decision was deemed “clear,” strictly applying the regulations following Senegal’s withdrawal from the pitch. This dramatic turnaround crowned Morocco African champions for the second time—after 1976—and ignited intense debate across the continent.
Mendy, hero of Senegal’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations victory, embodies the frustration of the losing side. Now playing in Saudi Arabia, he made these remarks in a recent interview, reflecting a scandal that has deeply divided African football.
For many observers, the decision feels like a massive hoax—especially as April 1 had already been filled with wild rumors, such as the supposed departure of Walid Regragui, quickly dismissed as an April Fool’s prank.
Meanwhile, Morocco—already dominant in the African Nations Championship with titles in 2018, 2021, and 2024—embraces this unexpected boost toward a golden era, strengthened by a top-8 position in the FIFA rankings.
Beyond the controversy, this 2025 title propels the Atlas Lions into football history. Led by captain Achraf Hakimi and boasting an expanded trophy cabinet—including the 2025 Arab Cup—Morocco is dreaming big. After their historic run at the 2022 World Cup, continental dominance is now firmly in their sights.
As for Mendy and Senegal, the bitterness remains, fueling hopes of a fiery rematch in 2026. African football has rarely been this electrifying.