“Senegal beat us fairly and deserved it. It will be unfair to ruin their joy after the hard work they put in. I respect the CAF decision but I’m officially rejecting the trophy. I didn’t win 2025 AFCON.”
By Frank Ulom
RABAT (CONVERSEER) – Achraf Hakimi, captain of Morocco and defender for Paris Saint-Germain, has publicly declined to accept the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, in a rare act that has intensified debate over sporting integrity in African football.
The decision follows a contentious ruling by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which retroactively awarded Morocco the championship after a disputed incident during the final against Senegal.
Morocco, hosts of the 2025 tournament, entered the competition as one of Africa’s strongest teams, boasting high-profile players including Hakimi and Brahim Diaz. The final, played on January 18, 2026, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, ended initially in a tense stalemate.
Drama unfolded in stoppage time when a Video Assistant Referee (VAR)-reviewed penalty was awarded to Morocco following a challenge involving Diaz. Senegal players strongly protested the decision and briefly walked off the pitch after their request to review the VAR footage was denied.
Led by captain Sadio Mane, the Senegalese team returned after approximately 15 minutes, allowing the match to resume. In extra time, Pape Gueye scored a decisive left-footed goal in the 94th minute, sealing a 1-0 victory and what was widely recognised as Senegal’s second AFCON triumph.
However, nearly two months later, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation lodged an appeal, citing Article 84 of AFCON regulations, which addresses match abandonment. On March 17, 2026, CAF’s Appeal Board ruled in Morocco’s favour, overturning the result and awarding a 3-0 forfeit victory to the hosts.
The ruling has sparked widespread criticism across the continent, with analysts and supporters warning it could undermine the credibility of on-field results. Senegal’s football authorities have confirmed plans to challenge the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Hakimi, 27, has distanced himself from the awarded title, stating that Morocco did not earn the victory on the pitch.
“My mum told me to reject the AFCON trophy. I’m officially rejecting it and hope my teammates do the same. We had a chance but failed to win,” he said.
“Senegal beat us fairly and deserved it. It will be unfair to ruin their joy after the hard work they put in. I respect the CAF decision but I’m officially rejecting the trophy. I didn’t win 2025 AFCON. Congratulations to Senegal once again.”
The defender later reinforced his stance with a brief message on X, writing: “Energy speaks, I don’t.”
Hakimi’s rejection of the title is highly unusual in professional football, where honours awarded by governing bodies are typically accepted without dispute. His position has amplified calls for greater transparency and accountability in CAF’s decision-making processes.
It remains unclear whether Morocco’s football federation or other members of the national team will follow his lead, but the development has further deepened scrutiny of one of the most controversial rulings in AFCON history.
