In a significant development in African football, Morocco’s captain Achraf Hakimi has publicly dismissed the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) decision to award his nation the 2025 African Cup of Nation (AFCON) title.
Hakimi firmly believes that the Senegal was the rightful champion after their victory in field.
In a potent statement, the Paris Saint-Germain defender emphasized that he and his teammates should not accept the trophy following CAF ruling.
He stated: “My mum told me to reject the AFCON trophy. I’m officially rejecting the trophy and hope my teammates do the same. We had a chance to win it, but failed to win it”.
Hakimi acknowledged Senegal’s deserving win in the final held on January 18, 2026, where they triumphed 1-0 after extra time.
“That is football, sometimes you win and lose, Senegal beat us fairly and deserve it. It will be unfair to ruin father joy after the hard work”, he said.
Hakimi added he respects CAF’s position but cannot accept a title he believes Morocco did not earn on the pitch.
“I respect CAF decision but I’m officially rejecting the trophy. I didn’t win 2025 AFCON. Congratulations to Senegal once again”, he said.
The stance highlights a rare moment in football, with a player declining recognition in favour of sporting integrity.
Morocco were among favorites but fell short, while Senegal ‘s triumph was widely viewed as deserved after their superlative performance.
The match was particularly notable for the dramatic walk-off by Senegalese players in protest of a controversial penalty decision.
On March 17, 2026, CAF Appeal Board ruled for Morocco, citing Senegal’s walk-off as forfeiture under regulations, overturning the 1-0 result to 3-0.
In response, the Senegalese Football Federation has indicated its intention to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. This situation continues to evolve, raising questions about the future of the tournament’s integrity.
-9News Nigeria.
