According to a report by Vanguard on Saturday, March 21, 2026, Captain of the Morocco national football team, Achraf Hakimi, has publicly rejected the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title following his team’s defeat in the tournament final.
Hakimi, who plays professionally as a defender for Paris Saint-Germain, stated that Morocco did not deserve the championship trophy and that neither he nor his teammates should accept it.
His decision came after Morocco lost to the Senegal national football team in a highly anticipated match that concluded the competition.
Hakimi expressed that the outcome of the final reflected the team’s failure to secure victory despite having opportunities during the match.
He emphasised that winning the title without a clear triumph on the pitch would not be appropriate and that the honour should be reserved for the team that outperformed Morocco in the final.
His statement highlighted a sense of accountability and sportsmanship, as he rejected the award on the basis of merit rather than any external decision by the governing body of the tournament.
The Africa Cup of Nations, organized by the Confederation of African Football, is Africa’s premier football tournament, drawing top national teams from across the continent.
Morocco’s performance in the tournament had been strong leading up to the final, but the team was ultimately unable to overcome Senegal in the decisive match.
Hakimi’s comments reflect a personal and collective view that success in football must be earned on the field, and that symbolic recognition is meaningless without an actual win.
Hakimi’s position also resonated with supporters who value fair competition and accountability among players.
By publicly rejecting the trophy, he positioned himself as a leader willing to set an example for teammates and others in the sport.
He encouraged his colleagues to adopt the same approach, suggesting that accepting the title under the circumstances would undermine the integrity of the game and diminish the significance of the championship.
He said, “My mum told me to reject the AFCON trophy. I’m officially rejecting it and hope my teammates do same. We had a chance but failed to win….See More
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