Walid Regragui reflects on the Morocco-Senegal 2025 AFCON final

Several months after the controversial Africa Cup of Nations final held in Morocco, the former manager of the Atlas Lions has not moved on.

Walid Regragui has reflected on the circumstances of the final, which took place on 18 January in Rabat. In the dying moments of the match, a penalty was awarded to Morocco, provoking the anger of Senegal’s manager, Pape Thiaw, and his players, who decided to temporarily leave the pitch in protest.

Months later, during the 2026 FIFA World Cup held in America this summer, Senegal faced a similar incident against Belgium in the round of 32. A penalty was awarded to the Red Devils in the final minutes of extra time. But this time, the Senegalese did not walk off the pitch.

A contrast that Walid was quick to point out.

“In the end, Senegal went on to the World Cup. A penalty was awarded against them in the dying minutes.

“Why didn’t they leave the pitch? Because they know there have been sanctions from CAF which have made it clear to them that you can’t leave the pitch.

“And yet, the penalty against Belgium was more dubious than ours!”