AFCON 2025: CAS ruling date revealed – what it means for Super Eagles

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is expected to deliver its verdict on Senegal’s appeal against the decision to strip them of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025) title by the end of November.

CAS confirmed on Monday that its panel would issue a ruling explaining the legal grounds behind its decision following the October 8 hearing in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Recall that the Senegalese Football Federation is challenging the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) decision to award Morocco a 3-0 victory in the final months after the Teranga Lions actually won the tournament on the pitch.

Senegal’s appeal against the awarding of the 2025 AFCON title to Morocco took place behind closed doors at CAS headquarters in Lausanne on Thursday 8 October. CAS now confirm the Panel are in ongoing deliberations. A decision is expected at the end of November. https://t.co/mbQN0oatck

— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) October 19, 2026

For Nigeria, who finished third at the tournament, the ruling will be important for the official history of the competition. In this article, Afrik-Foot explains just how.

Why is CAS reviewing the AFCON 2025 final?

Senegal initially won the final 1-0 after extra time on January 18, with Pape Gueye scoring a pile-driver of a shot against hosts Morocco.

However, the match was overshadowed by an earlier controversy when referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty following a VAR review. The Senegalese players, who felt cheated after being denied a goal a minute earlier, walked off the pitch in protest, delaying the match for 17 minutes before they eventually returned.

Unfortunately for Morocco, Brahim Diaz missed the last-minute penalty in regulation time, and Senegal went on to win the game.

However, CAF’s Appeal Board overturned that result on March 17, declaring Senegal to have forfeited the final under Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations and awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory.

Senegal did not take that lightly, as they stood their ground and appealed to CAS on March 25, seeking to overturn CAF’s decision and be recognised as the rightful champions.

A hearing was had on October 8, and the Senegalese Football Federation, CAF and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation all presented their cases.

What does the CAS ruling mean for the Super Eagles?

Nigeria finished third at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. They lost to Morocco in the semi-final via a penalty shootout before defeating Egypt in the third-place match.

The result of the ruling, however, will not have any direct effect on Nigeria. But in terms of bragging rights and status of being one of the best footballing coutries on the continent, Nigeria risk taking a hit.

Both Senegal and Morocco have one AFCON title apiece. But if any of them wins, they will climb to two titles. And with another AFCON coming up next year, one of them could catch up with the Super Eagles, who are on three continental titles.

As it stands, the Super Eagles are not even sure of making the next AFCON, as they sit second in their group, three points behind a talented Guinea-Bissau side. If the Super Eagles fail to get their acts rights, they risk missing out on qualification, as only one team will make it out of the group.