AFCON 2025 Chaos: Moroccan Politician Alleges Senegal Used ‘Magic Rituals’ in Dressing Room Before Crucial Penalty Miss

In a shocking twist following Senegal’s dramatic triumph at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), a Moroccan politician has leveled wild accusations against the Teranga Lions, claiming they resorted to “magic rituals” to sway the outcome of the final against hosts Morocco. Mohamed Simou, a prominent figure in Moroccan politics, made the sensational claims amid widespread outrage over the match’s officiating, which descended into pure pandemonium.

Senegal clinched their second AFCON title on Sunday, January 18, 2026, edging out Morocco 1-0 in extra time at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. The decisive goal came from Villarreal striker Pape Gueye, who unleashed a thunderous strike into the top corner just four minutes into extra time, sealing a historic victory for the West African giants. This marks Senegal’s second continental crown, following their 2021 success, and reinforces their status as one of Africa’s football powerhouses.

However, the glory was overshadowed by unprecedented drama on the pitch. The final erupted into chaos when Congolese referee Jean Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a controversial penalty in the dying moments of regular time after a VAR review for minimal contact. Senegal’s players, furious over the call, staged a walk-off protest, refusing to continue for about 15 minutes. Fans in the stadium added to the frenzy, with reports of unrest and heated confrontations. Earlier in the game, Senegal had a potential winning goal disallowed for a soft foul on Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, further fueling tensions.

Real Madrid star Brahim Díaz stepped up for the penalty, attempting a cheeky Panenka, but Senegal’s goalkeeper Edouard Mendy pulled off a stunning save to keep the scores level. The match resumed amid the controversy, leading to extra time where Gueye’s heroics decided the fate.

Enter Mohamed Simou, who didn’t hold back in his post-match rant. According to reports from DW Africa, Simou alleged that Senegalese players performed “magic rituals” in their dressing room shortly before Díaz’s spot-kick, implying spiritual interference influenced the miss. “The officiating raised serious concerns that should not be ignored,” Simou stated, while calling for Ndala to be suspended and even prosecuted for restarting the game after the walk-off. He provided no evidence for the ritual claims, which have sparked online mockery and debate across Africa.

The accusations echo long-standing whispers of superstition in African football, where tales of juju and rituals have surfaced in past tournaments. From NaijaChoice News‘ perspective, this isn’t new—remember the 2013 AFCON when Nigerian fans buzzed about similar rumors during the Super Eagles’ run? But Simou’s outburst has drawn sharp criticism, with many labeling it as sour grapes from a heartbroken host nation.

The fallout has been swift. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has already suspended Senegal’s head coach Pape Thiaw for instructing his team to leave the pitch, with individual players now under investigation for potential further sanctions. FIFA President Gianni Infantino condemned the scenes as “unacceptable,” stating they tarnished the image of African football. On the other side, Morocco’s football federation announced plans to pursue legal action, arguing that the disruption directly affected Díaz’s concentration and the overall result. “My soul hurts,” Díaz later admitted, reflecting on his costly miss.

Social media has exploded with reactions. On X (formerly Twitter), users from across the continent weighed in, with one post highlighting the referee’s decisions as biased toward the hosts. Nigerians, still smarting from the Super Eagles’ quarterfinal exit to Egypt earlier in the tournament, have joined the conversation, drawing parallels to past VAR controversies in AFCON.

As the dust settles, Senegal celebrates a hard-fought victory, but questions linger over the tournament’s organization. Hosted by Morocco for the first time since 1988, AFCON 2025 was meant to showcase Africa’s football prowess, yet it ended in embarrassment. Will Simou’s allegations lead to an investigation, or are they just the cries of a sore loser? Only time will tell, but one thing’s clear: African football’s passion often comes with a side of drama.