The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, eagerly anticipated as a clash between the continent’s football titans, ended in extraordinary controversy, leaving a permanent stain on African football. A dramatic and chaotic series of events marred what should have been a historic night for Morocco and Senegal, casting a dark shadow over the tournament and raising serious questions about the state of officiating and sportsmanship on the continent.

The final, played at Morocco’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, had been a tightly contested battle between the tournament’s top two ranked nations: hosts Morocco, ranked first in Africa and eighth in the world, and Senegal, ranked second on the continent and 14th globally.

Expectations were sky-high, with both teams chasing their second AFCON title. Morocco hoped to lift the trophy on home soil for the first time since 1976, while Senegal, fresh from their 2021 triumph, were primed to deliver another classic final.

However, the match — which remained entertainingly goalless deep into stoppage time — quickly descended into chaos, much to the dismay of fans across the world.

The ugly scenes projected a very bad image of African football, one that will not be erased from people’s minds anytime soon. Senegal players walking off the pitch was simply inexcusable.

The drama began in the sixth minute of added time when Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ngambo awarded Morocco a highly disputed penalty following a VAR review for a challenge on Brahim Diaz. The decision was met with immediate outrage from Senegalese players, coaches and technical staff, who believed the call was unjust and highly questionable.

An earlier disallowed goal, which Senegal felt was a legitimate breakthrough, had already heightened tensions, and the penalty decision only deepened the sense of injustice.

Already visibly frustrated, the Senegalese players were in no mood to accept the call. Protests were swift and furious, with several players confronting the referee while the coaching staff demanded explanations.

In an unprecedented move, Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw instructed his players to leave the field in protest — as if he had never heard the phrase, "two wrongs don’t make a right.”

As the team walked off the pitch, confusion engulfed the stadium. Spectators inside the arena and millions watching worldwide were left stunned, unsure how to process the unfolding chaos.

I have never witnessed anything like it in my life — certainly not on such a grand stage. Such ugly scenes are normally associated with village (Umurenge) football or amateur club matches, and, most probably, in Africa.

For a moment, the 2025 AFCON final ceased to be about football. It became a confrontation between officials and players, with the integrity of the competition hanging precariously in the balance.

Moroccan players gathered near the penalty spot awaiting clarity, while Senegalese players stood firm in protest. Officials huddled on the pitch, desperately searching for a resolution.

An altercation between some Senegalese supporters and Moroccan security personnel further added to the mayhem, tarnishing what should have been a superb event — the climax of three weeks of enjoyable football. The very best of Africa.

In a bizarre twist, after a prolonged delay, Senegal returned to the pitch to witness Diaz take the penalty. Tension was palpable as the Real Madrid attacking midfielder or winger stepped up.

His weak attempted Panenka was comfortably saved by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, doing little to ease the anger within the Senegal camp.

Despite the drama, Senegal regrouped and, in the dying moments of extra time, stunned the Moroccan crowd with a brilliant strike from Pape Gueye, sealing a dramatic 1-0 victory and claiming their second Afcon title.

The Lions of Teranga will head into the 2027 edition — to be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda — as defending champions and the team to beat.

Yet, while Senegal emerged victorious, celebrations were subdued. Instead of a joyous occasion for African football, the night was overshadowed by controversy.

Here we are, instead of discussing the mostly impressive attacking football displayed by the continent’s best teams, talking about 17 minutes of madness. The disputed penalty, the walk-off, and the overall disorder left a sour taste, especially for those hoping African football would take a step forward in professionalism and fair play.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino condemned the Senegal players’ actions, calling the protest "unacceptable” and stressing that "violence cannot be tolerated in our sport.”

CAF, while stopping short of assigning direct blame, promised to take "appropriate action” against those responsible for the disturbances.

Still, the incident exposed uncomfortable truths about officiating standards, accountability, and governance in African football.

For many, the scenes in Rabat were a stark reminder of the challenges the game continues to face on the continent. While football in more developed regions is increasingly defined by professionalism and order, this final painted a picture of confusion, protest and violence.

Such incidents are not unique to Africa, but they appear more frequent in regions still grappling with the sport’s growing pains.

In that sense, the final in Morocco was a sobering reminder that African football still has a long journey ahead before consistently matching the professionalism seen elsewhere.

Ultimately, the 2025 AFCON final — which should have been remembered for footballing excellence — will instead be defined by controversy.

A tournament that promised so much ended in chaos, with the beautiful game losing out to poor officiating and unnecessary drama.

As Senegal lifted the trophy amid confusion, one could not help but wonder whether African football missed a golden opportunity to showcase its true potential.

Diaz, 28, finished as the tournament’s top scorer with five goals, while his teammate Yassine Bounou claimed the Golden Glove.

Sadio Mané was named Player of the Tournament. The 33-year-old scored twice and provided constant inspiration throughout Senegal’s march to glory.

Closer to home, Tanzania and Uganda — the East African representatives — had little to celebrate in Morocco.

Tanzania reached the knockout stages for the first time despite failing to win a single match, while Uganda exited at the group stage.

Taifa Stars forward Fei Salum scored a memorable equaliser against Tunisia in the final group match — a goal that elevated his status among Tanzania’s modern heroes, earning a historic last-16 berth.

Uganda’s campaign was defined by Allan Okello’s last-minute missed penalty against Tanzania (1-1) and substitute goalkeeper Salim Magoola’s red card for handling outside his area in a 3-1 loss to Nigeria.

Those two nations, alongside fellow co-host Kenya, will be under immense pressure at the 2027 tournament. Failure to reach at least the knockout stage would raise serious questions about their readiness to compete with Africa’s elite.