• President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Patrice Motsepe. (Photo by Phill Magakoe AFP).

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has clarified that the decision by the body to be hosting the Africa Cup of Nations from every two to four years wasn’t influenced by the FIFA.

The decision was announced last month and drew heavy criticisms, with several African football personalities alleging that it was a measure forced upon Africa by FIFA, whose president Gianni Infantino had six years ago advocated that the Cup of Nations be played four-yearly rather than every two years.

However, the CAF’s President, Patrice Motsepe, dismissed the allegations of undue influence from FIFA, emphasising that they would go ahead with the Cup of Nations every four years after 2028, plus introduce an African Nations League in 2029.

“We didn’t do as good a job at CAF in preparing the ground 1for this AFCON every four years. We must make sure that our everyday people, whom we account to, must understand what we have done is good for them,” Motsepe told a press conference on the eve of the final between Morocco and Senegal in Rabat.

“This is the right decision. We will indeed have a new competition, and it will be enormously successful. African football will be better,” he added.

“We must free ourselves as Africans and have more confidence in ourselves. It should not be about FIFA says this or UEFA says this.

“We can be convinced we are doing the right things, but it is important that everyone on the continent is convinced we are doing the right things, too.

“We have to educate our people on the decisions we have taken. We know that in two to three years, people will see what we are talking about.”

The reason Africa has held its Cup of Nations every two years while other confederations play their championship every four years is that the tournament’s revenue used to provide about 80 per cent of CAF’s budget.

However, Motsepe said: “The revenue of the AFCON is significantly less than the revenue we have generated for the African Nations League. We are absolutely convinced it will work.”

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has released the full list of winners and individual award recipients.

AFCON 2025 Full Winners List

Champions: Senegal

Runners-up: Morocco

Third place: Nigeria

Fair Play Award: Morocco

Despite losing the final on home soil, Morocco also received the Fair Play Award for their conduct and discipline during the tournament.

Best Player of the Tournament: Sadio Mané (Senegal)

Sadio Mané was named Player of the Tournament after leading Senegal to the title, scoring two goals and playing a key role throughout the competition.

Best Goalkeeper: Yassine Bounou (Morocco)

Top Scorer: Brahim Diaz (Morocco)

Morocco’s Brahim Diaz finished as the tournament’s top scorer with five goals from seven matches, while goalkeeper Yassine Bounou claimed the Best Goalkeeper award following a series of decisive performances.

The 2025 AFCON delivered moments of drama, controversy and standout performances, bringing the continental competition to a memorable close in Rabat.

In one of the most chaotic and unforgettable finals in Africa Cup of Nations history, Senegal emerged as champions after defeating host nation Morocco 1-0 in extra time at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

Midfielder Pape Gueye delivered a thunderous strike in the first period of extra time, firing a spectacular left-footed shot into the top corner to secure Senegal’s second continental crown since their 2021 triumph.

The goal proved decisive in a tense, low-scoring encounter that had remained goalless through 90 minutes.

The match will be remembered as much for its dramatic finish as for the football itself. Deep into second-half stoppage time, the referee awarded Morocco a controversial penalty following a lengthy VAR review, ruling that Senegal defender El Hadji Malick Diouf had fouled Brahim Diaz in the box.

The decision sparked fury among the Senegalese players, who briefly walked off the pitch in protest, leading to unprecedented scenes of chaos and lengthy delays.

After returning to the field, Diaz stepped up for the spot-kick but saw his audacious Panenka attempt comfortably saved by Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, keeping the scores level and sending the game into extra time.

Senegal’s resilience shone through in the additional 30 minutes, where Gueye’s moment of brilliance sealed a famous upset against the heavily favored hosts, who were chasing their first AFCON title since 1976.

The Lions of Teranga, led by talismanic forward Sadio Mané in what may be his final AFCON appearance, demonstrated tactical discipline and defensive solidity throughout the tournament. Their victory marks them as one of the continent’s premier forces in recent years.

For Morocco, the result ends a dream of continental glory on home soil, extending their wait for a second title to 50 years. Despite the heartbreak, the Atlas Lions’ run to the final showcased their growing stature in African football.

This extraordinary final, filled with tension, controversy, and high drama, will be talked about for years to come as Senegal lift the trophy in stunning fashion.