France captain Kylian Mbappe has weighed in on the controversy surrounding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final between Senegal and Morocco, calling Senegal the champion ahead of their World Cup group stage encounter.
Senegal vs Morocco AFCON Final Controversy
The Teranga Lions defeated the host Atlas Lions 1-0 in the final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat in January. However, the match was overshadowed by controversy after Senegal temporarily walked off the pitch when Morocco were awarded a penalty deep into second-half stoppage time.
Liverpool legend Sadio Mane helped calm tensions before Senegal returned to the field. Morocco's penalty was subsequently missed by Brahim Diaz, and the game went into extra time. Pape Gueye then scored the decisive goal in the 94th minute to hand Senegal what appeared to be their second consecutive AFCON title.
However, Morocco appealed to the CAF Appeals Board, arguing that Senegal had forfeited the match by leaving the field. The board later ruled in Morocco's favour, awarding them the title in one of the most controversial decisions in African football history. Senegal subsequently took the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Mbappe's Comments on the 2025 AFCON Winner
Speaking ahead of France's World Cup group match against Senegal, Mbappe referred to the Teranga Lions as the African champion. According to Seneweb, the Real Madrid star said: "We're playing against Senegal, the African champion. Uh, I don't know if it's them or if it's Morocco in the end. Well, let's say the African champion."
Mbappe, whose mother Fayza Lamari is of Moroccan descent, attended one of Morocco's matches in Rabat and was seen supporting the team and his former Paris Saint-Germain teammate Achraf Hakimi.
Reactions from African Fans
Legit.ng has compiled reactions from African fans following the comments by the France international.
- @Lieu_Eminem said: "@KMbappe should be careful about his comments. He made similar statements about South America the last time and it did not go down well him after the world cup final."
- @Bossvicky123 wrote: "World Cup hasn't kicked off yet and Mbappé already dropped the first controversy. Well, Senegal and Morocco fans are about to unite for one common enemy."
- @SaintEmmyyy added: "You are correct mbappe you are playing the African champions. Titles are not won in a court room."
France have been drawn in Group I alongside Senegal, Iraq and Norway as they bid to reclaim the FIFA World Cup title. Les Bleus are aiming to bounce back after narrowly missing out on glory at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where they lost to Argentina on penalties in a dramatic final.
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