AFCON 2025 Final: Former FIFA Referee Explains Two Key Calls In Morocco vs Senegal Match
- A former FIFA referee has broken down the two crucial calls made by the match officials during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final
- The final was between the host nation, Morocco, and the 2021 winners, Senegal, and the match was dominated by controversial moments from the referee
- The Teranga Lions were the eventual winners, with Villarreal midfielder Pape Gueye scoring a screamer in the first half of the extra time
Former FIFA-accredited referee Victor Hlungwani has analysed two pivotal decisions made by Jean Jacques Ndala during the AFCON 2025 final on Sunday, January 18, 2026.
Source: Getty Images
Ndala, the Congolese official, oversaw the high-stakes clash between Morocco and Senegal on Sunday at Rabat’s Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah.
The final was not the only controversial moment at the 2025 AFCON, with Bafana Bafana also experiencing it during their narrow defeat against Egypt in their second Group B fixture on Wednesday, December 24, 2025.
South Africa were denied a late penalty, while the Pharaohs' only goal of the game came from a soft penalty call in the first half.
DON'T MISS IT: Stay Away From Fake News With Our Short, Free Fact-Checking Course. Join And Get Certified!
Hlungwani on Senegal's disallowed goal
The match saw Senegal have a goal ruled out after the referee judged substitute Abdoulaye Seck to have fouled Achraf Hakimi in the penalty area. Shortly after, Morocco was awarded a penalty, prompting the Senegalese team to leave the pitch temporarily. Speaking to SABC, Hlungwani defended Ndala, explaining why both calls were accurate.
“According to Law 5 regarding a referee’s powers and duties, when multiple offences happen simultaneously, the official is instructed to address the most serious one first, considering the severity, restart, and sanction,” Hlungwani said.
“In this instance, the more significant offence was linked to the goal itself. Law 10 states that a goal is valid only if the scoring team has committed no offence. Since an offence occurred from the scoring side, it carries greater impact than any defensive infraction,” he added, noting that while both players committed fouls, the infringement leading to the goal took precedence.
Source: Getty Images
Hlungwani on penalty awarded to Morocco
Towards the end of the game, Real Madrid star Brahim Diaz was brought down in the penalty area by Malick Diouf, leading Ndala to award a spot-kick—the moment that triggered Senegal’s walk-off.
The situation was later rectified after Sadio Mane urged his teammates come back onto the field to complete the match, and the eventual penalty awarded was missed by Diaz, which allowed Senegal to win the final.
Hlungwani claimed that the referee was correct with his verdict, and the penalty was rightly awarded to the host nation.
“We can see Malick Diouf clearly holding Diaz and pulling him down. This is an obvious foul, and awarding a penalty was entirely justified. Jean-Jacques Ndala made the correct call,” Hlungwani explained.
VAR expert gives verdict on penalty calls
Briefly News also reported that a former FIFA referee and VAR instructor shared details about the penalty incidents in South Africa's defeat against Egypt.
The former FIFA referee explained the rules in a post on his official social media account after the match.
PAY ATTENTION: Follow Briefly News on Twitter and never miss the hottest topics! Find us at @brieflyza!
Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.
Source: Briefly News
