Achraf Hakimi Celebrates Morocco's AFCON 2025 Title After CAF Strips Senegal
Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi has broken his silence following the controversial decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and award it to Morocco. The Moroccan captain celebrated the victory despite the ongoing controversy surrounding the ruling.
Hakimi's Reaction to the Controversial Decision
Speaking on The Bridge podcast alongside teammates Kylian Mbappé and Aurélien Tchouaméni, Hakimi expressed his joy at finally winning the continental crown, even if the circumstances were unusual. "We are very happy. I have been waiting for this moment for a long time. Even if the victory came this way... we won," Hakimi stated emphatically.
The PSG defender, who captained Morocco throughout the tournament, emphasized that lifting the trophy represented a major personal and national milestone. For Hakimi, the victory adds another significant honor to his growing legacy with the Atlas Lions, regardless of how it was achieved.
CAF's Official Ruling and Senegal's Walk-Off
The controversy stems from CAF's Appeal Board decision to overturn Senegal's 1-0 victory in the final and award Morocco a 3-0 win by forfeit. This ruling followed Senegal's walk-off protest during the dramatic AFCON final in Rabat, which CAF judged as a breach of tournament regulations under Articles 82 and 84.
According to official statements, CAF determined that Senegal's temporary withdrawal from the pitch amounted to a forfeiture, thus ending Morocco's long wait for another AFCON title through this unprecedented decision.
Moroccan Football Federation's Strong Stance
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has strongly backed CAF's verdict, with president Fouzi Lekjaa insisting Morocco had "strong and documented arguments" regarding the events of the final. Lekjaa stated that all incidents surrounding the controversial match were properly documented through official match reports and video evidence.
"Morocco has strong and documented arguments regarding what happened in the final," Lekjaa declared, adding that Senegal's withdrawal from the pitch was "officially established." This strong position from Moroccan officials has intensified the tension surrounding what has become one of the most controversial finals in AFCON history.
Senegal's Defiance and Appeal Process
While Morocco celebrates, Senegal remains defiant. The Teranga Lions recently paraded the AFCON trophy ahead of their friendly against Peru, signaling that they still consider themselves champions despite CAF's ruling. The Senegalese Football Federation has already filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), hoping to overturn the verdict and restore their title.
A decision in Senegal's favor would deal another significant blow to CAF's credibility and potentially rewrite the official history of the 2025 tournament. The appeal process adds another layer of uncertainty to an already contentious situation.
Reactions from Football Community
The controversial decision has drawn criticism from various quarters of the football community. Former Nigerian captain Mikel Obi expressed strong dissatisfaction with CAF's ruling, calling it "horrible, horrible, horrible" and "ludicrous." Obi questioned the competence of African football administrators, highlighting the widespread debate surrounding the decision.
Sports law consultant Timipre Okou has also weighed in on the matter, providing legal perspective on CAF's unprecedented move to strip a champion of their title 58 days after the final. The extended timeline of the decision has raised additional questions about procedural fairness and tournament regulations.
As the appeal process continues at CAS, the football world watches closely to see how this unprecedented situation will be resolved. The outcome could have lasting implications for tournament regulations, disciplinary procedures, and the credibility of African football governance.
