Morocco National Men’s Football Team starting goal keeper Yassine Bounou has welcomed the decision by Africa’s football governing body CAF to announce Morocco as winners of the 2025 AFCON title and not Senegal. (Scroll down to watch video)
CAF, via its Appeals Board, announced on Tuesday, March 17 that it had upheld Morocco’s protest against Senegal for forfeiting the 2025 AFCON Final by walking off the pitch and abandoning the game in protest against a penalty decision awarded to Morocco by referee Jean-Jacques Ndala.
Senegal returned to the field to continue the game and Brahim Diaz missed the ensuing penalty kick en route to Senegal securing the 1-0 win in extra time to lift the trophy. However, CAF ruled that their action constituted forfeiture hence the decision to award Morocco a 3-0 win and the 2025 AFCON title.
Reacting to the development in an interview with thmanyahsports after aiding Al-Hilal clinch their spot in the King Cup of Champions Final, Bounou stated,
“The CAN-AFCON? Honestly, it’s news that arrived very late, but as a Moroccan and a national team player who lived through that difficult moment, you can’t help but be happy.”
In Al-Hilal’s 4-2 win on penalties over the Ivan Toney and Riyad Mahrez-led Al Ahli, Bounou saved two penalty kick attempts.
🗣️🇲🇦 Yassine Bounou :
« La CAN ? Franchement, c’est une nouvelle qui est arrivée très tard mais en tant que Marocain et joueur de l’équipe nationale qui a vécu ce moment difficile, tu ne peux qu’être heureux. »
🎥(@thmanyahsports) pic.twitter.com/9uBxjQJhN4
— SPL 🇸🇦 (@ActuSPL) March 18, 2026
