The tournament was also overshadowed by tragedy with the death of respected Malian journalist Mohamed Soumaré.
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The 35th Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco concluded after 29 days of football, ending with Senegal’s Teranga Lions lifting their second AFCON title following a dramatic and controversial final against hosts Morocco. Widely praised as one of the best-organised editions in the tournament’s history, AFCON 2025 combined high-quality football, record-breaking numbers and memorable moments — alongside significant controversies.
Morocco set new standards in hosting, providing nine world-class stadiums across six cities, excellent pitches, dedicated team base camps and a spectacular opening ceremony. These factors contributed to a high level of play and a record 120 goals, making it the highest-scoring AFCON edition ever.
Fan culture was again central to the tournament, highlighted by DR Congo supporter Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, whose Patrice Lumumba-inspired attire made him an iconic figure both in stadiums and on social media. Attendance figures also surged, with over 1.34 million spectators across the tournament and a record crowd of 66,526 for the final.
On the pitch, Africa’s traditional powerhouses largely avoided major upsets, underlining the growing gap between elite teams and emerging nations. However, off-field issues marred the competition, including widespread ticketing problems driven by scalping, inconsistent refereeing and VAR malfunctions that sparked anger among teams and fans.
The tournament was also overshadowed by tragedy with the death of respected Malian journalist Mohamed Soumaré. The final itself ended in chaos, featuring disputed decisions, a missed penalty by Morocco, a touchline protest by Senegal, and post-match disorder that prompted a CAF investigation.
Despite its controversies, AFCON 2025 will be remembered for its organisation, atmosphere and footballing quality — a landmark edition that showcased both the progress and persistent challenges of African football.
