Almost a month after their triumph against Morocco in the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Senegal has officially received congratulations from the Confederation of African Football.
The recognition was made on Friday, February 13, 2026, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, during a press conference held alongside the Executive Committee of the continental body. This institutional tribute celebrates the remarkable journey of the Lions and further confirms their status on the African stage.
In front of the media, the president of the Confederation of African Football, Patrice Motsepe, praised the Lions’ victory: “We congratulate Senegal on their title.” He also expressed gratitude towards Morocco and all 24 teams that participated in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. “I express my appreciation to Morocco and all the nations that took part in the 2025 AFCON,” he added.
This statement comes in a context still marked by the events of the final between Senegal and Morocco. The match was marred by incidents both on the pitch and in the stands. A referee’s decision to award a penalty to Morocco, while Senegal contested a disallowed goal, sparked fierce protests from Senegalese players, who temporarily left the field. The interruption fueled a widespread debate about officiating and the management of such a crucial encounter.
Following these incidents, the Confederation of African Football announced a series of disciplinary measures: suspensions, fines, and sanctions that some observers deemed largely symbolic.
On the sidelines of the Executive Committee in Dar es Salaam, Patrice Motsepe assured that such outbursts would no longer be tolerated in the future. Without going into details about potential new sanctions, the CAF president stated that the organization would adopt a “zero tolerance” policy towards any behavior that could harm the image and integrity of its competitions, particularly the 2025 AFCON.
