The decision follows a protracted dispute over a refereeing decision in the January final, where Senegal players walked off the pitch in protest at a late penalty award.
CAF ruled that Senegal “forfeited the match” and awarded Morocco a 3-0 win, citing articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON Regulations.
The decision has been condemned by Senegal’s football authorities, who plan to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The controversy surrounds a penalty awarded to Morocco in the 24th minute of added time, which was saved by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
The game eventually went to extra time, where Pape Gueye scored the winning goal for Senegal.
However, CAF’s decision overturns the result, handing the title to Morocco.
The Senegalese Football Federation has denounced the decision as “unjust, unprecedented, and unacceptable,” and several players have voiced their outrage on social media.
The drama has sparked widespread debate across African football.
