When a Like Becomes a Final: Morocco Seizes AFCON 2025 Title After Senegal Withdraws

CAF’s AFCON 2025 Final Decision Sparks Debate

In the weeks leading up to AFCON 2025, tensions between Senegal and Morocco surged after CAF announced that Senegal would withdraw from the final, with Morocco awarded the title. The ruling came amid disputes over the final’s legitimacy, which remain contested in international circles.

The decision effectively crowned Morocco while the legal fate of the trophy remains unsettled, leaving fans and pundits to parse the implications for CAF and the tournament’s credibility.

Moroccan outlet Hesport reported that during the international break, several players liked posts by Senegal stars during celebrations at the Stade de France, stoking further criticism from sections of the fanbase.

Images circulating online reportedly showed players such as Ismail Sibari, Shadi Riyad, Elias Ben-Saghir, Samir Morabit, Osama Targalin and Yassin Kishata involved, deepening fan backlash and sparking debate about sportsmanship in victory and social media conduct.

Some of those implicated issued apologies in the hours that followed, with Elias Ben-Saghir joining the chorus of remorse and contrition.

Ben-Saghir addressed the matter on social media, saying the reaction was involuntary and stressing that he is Moroccan first and foremost, proud to represent the national team he has followed since childhood. He added that he deleted the like immediately and hoped the episode would not overshadow his commitment to the shirt.

He closed with a pledge to clear up any misunderstanding and to win back the fans’ trust as soon as he returns to the pitch.

Read also: Ignore the fans’ feelings… Morocco sextet entangled in Senegal celebration controversy.

Punchline 1: If football had a like button for goals, we’d finally see some real multitasking—score and click. Punchline 2: The only thing more suspended than this final is my gym membership during a heatwave of celebrations.