The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will be remembered for its chaotic final, where a disputed penalty led to Senegal's walk-off and a 16-minute delay. Despite the officiating controversy that overshadowed the climax, Morocco delivered outstanding infrastructure for the tournament, which also set a new record with 121 goals scored.

Morocco's hosting was a clear success, showcasing world-class stadiums and technology as preparation for the 2030 World Cup. The Confederation of African Football saw a 90% revenue increase, with ticket sales jumping from $11m to $55m. However, crowd control issues and security lapses were also exposed, particularly around the final.

Beyond the final's drama, tournament rules came under scrutiny, with yellow card suspensions affecting key players like Senegal's Kalidou Koulibaly. Looking ahead, questions remain about whether Caf can maintain this financial momentum with a shift to a quadrennial format from 2028, and if other hosts can match Morocco's high standard.