Beyond the final: what AFCON 2025 showed

By Martin Graham

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will be recalled chiefly for its dramatic conclusion, yet the tournament offered far broader lessons beyond the controversy in Rabat.

Disruption marked the closing moments of the final when a late spot-kick decision in favour of Morocco prompted Senegal’s players to leave the pitch. After a delay lasting more than a quarter of an hour, Brahim Diaz attempted an audacious penalty that was stopped before Senegal eventually lifted the trophy.

Morocco coach Walid Regragui labelled the scenes “shameful”, while the Confederation of African Football has still not confirmed what disciplinary measures, if any, will follow. Even so, focusing solely on the finale risks overlooking a competition that was generally well run and produced a record total of 121 goals.

From facilities and finances to refereeing and regulations, the tournament highlighted both progress and persistent problems within African football.

Facilities set a new benchmark

Morocco’s venues and training centres drew widespread praise, with the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in the capital widely viewed as the jewel of the finals.

Hosting AFCON formed part of Morocco’s wider preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will stage alongside Spain and Portugal. Significant funding, supported by King Mohammed VI, has transformed the country’s sporting landscape, with officials describing the infrastructure as robust and meeting global standards.

Further upgrades are already planned. Casablanca’s Stade Mohammed V and arenas in Fes, Marrakesh, and Agadir are due for renovation, while construction continues on a new 115,000-capacity stadium near Benslimane.

Playing surfaces also impressed, coping well with heavy rainfall that has troubled previous hosts. Royal Moroccan Football Federation representative Omar Khyari said the event showcased domestic expertise, noting that much of the technology used was developed by local companies.

Observers from other parts of the continent acknowledged the achievement, while officials in Kenya admitted that matching Morocco’s scale for the 2027 co-hosted finals with Tanzania and Uganda would be difficult, even if improvements are under way.

Finances and profile on the rise

CAF reported a sharp increase in income generated by the tournament, with overall revenues up by 90% compared to the previous edition.

Ticket sales alone rose from $11m in Ivory Coast in 2023 to $55m in Morocco, while the number of sponsors and partners expanded to 23. Enhanced digital coverage also boosted the visibility of the competition.

The governing body previously projected a net surplus exceeding $114m, compared with a $75m profit two years earlier. Such figures raise questions about CAF’s decision to move AFCON to a four-year cycle from 2028.

There is also debate over whether similar commercial success can be achieved elsewhere. Morocco has become a frequent host of major African tournaments, including multiple Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, leading Nigeria star Asisat Oshoala to describe the country as the continent’s football hub.

Match officials under scrutiny

Despite organisational successes, refereeing standards attracted repeated criticism throughout the finals.

Regragui dismissed claims that officials favoured the host nation, arguing that disputed calls occur worldwide. Nevertheless, the final provided a high-profile example of officiating decisions shaping the narrative.

Referee Jean-Jacques Ndala had controlled the match effectively until stoppage time, when he halted play for a foul on Achraf Hakimi moments before Senegal scored. The sequence of calls, followed by the late penalty for Morocco, fuelled Senegal’s sense of grievance and led to their walk-off.

The video assistant referee system also came under fire. Reviews were often lengthy, some decisions were questioned, and the semi-automated offside technology used at the previous AFCON was absent, despite Morocco’s heavy investment.

Safety, conduct and rules in focus

Concerns over security emerged before and during the final. Senegal’s federation complained about inadequate protection when their team arrived by train in Rabat, where players were surrounded by supporters.

Inside and outside stadiums, people observed clashes, overcrowding, and fans being held in confined areas. While such issues are not unique to African football, they underscored the need for stronger crowd management.

Ticket allocation also proved contentious, with Senegal receiving fewer than 4,000 seats in a stadium holding nearly 70,000. On the pitch, incidents involving ballboys interfering with goalkeepers added to the tension, echoing similar episodes earlier in the tournament.

Finally, the competition exposed flaws in CAF’s regulations. Yellow cards were wiped after the group stage, leaving numerous players one caution away from suspension in the semi-finals. Key figures, including Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly, missed the final as a result, weakening showpiece matches.

Group-stage rules also came close to forcing teams to be separated by drawing lots, a method last used in 2015. While dramatic, alternatives such as fair-play scores or attacking criteria would likely be viewed as more acceptable.