AFCON 2025: Achraf Hakimi Hails Morocco Victory After CAF Appeals Ruling Against Senegal

Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi has publicly celebrated Morocco's 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) victory, emphasising that the win is what matters most, regardless of the circumstances.

Appearing as a guest on "The Bridge" podcast alongside Kylian Mbappé and Aurélien Tchouaméni, the Moroccan international shared his feelings about the continental triumph.

Morocco's championship was secured after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeal Board's decision to award them the title.

The ruling stripped Senegal of their victory, determining that their decision to walk off the pitch during the final constituted a forfeit. Standard procedure in such cases results in a 3-0 loss for the forfeiting team, handing the win to Morocco.

In its decision, CAF stated: "It is declared that the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), through the conduct of its team, infringed Article 82… In application of Article 84… the Senegal team is declared to have forfeited the match, with the result recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF)."

"We are very happy. I have been waiting for this moment for a long time," Achraf Hakimi stated in the podcast. "Even if the victory came this way... we won."

Hakimi, who captained the Atlas Lions to the 2025 title, also took the opportunity during the podcast to discuss his personal choice to represent Morocco on the international stage over Spain.

However, previous reports indicated that Achraf Hakimi rejected the title in a display of sportsmanship, insisting the on-field result should stand.

Meanwhile, the podcast episode also featured Mbappé opening up about the racist abuse he faced after his missed penalty against Switzerland in the 2021 European Championship.

The Real Madrid forward described feeling like he was "walking like a dead man" as he was targeted with monkey chants.

This discussion highlights the persistent issue of racism in football, a problem recently underscored when Spanish fans booed the Egyptian national anthem and directed anti-Muslim chants during a friendly match against Egypt, sparking widespread condemnation.