Working at the tournament, I remember a feeling there was an extra edge in the build-up to the final in Rabat, compared to previous editions.
What stood out were the allegations - on social media - that hosts Morocco were getting the rub of the green when it came to refereeing decisions. It was becoming a big part of the managers' pre-match news conferences.
The conspiracy theories seemed to be linked to a perceived close relationship between Morocco's football federation and the Confederation of African Football (Caf).
Morocco have become a powerhouse in African football - regularly hosting tournaments like the Women's Afcon, and helping Caf by hosting many qualifying matches for nations who can't play at home.
There was chaos when Senegal arrived in Rabat for the final, and pictures of the players walking through huge crowds - with seemingly minimal security - went viral. Complaints followed from Senegal's football federation that their original hotel wasn't good enough - and that they didn't have enough tickets for their fans.
It felt almost inevitable that a controversial moment during the game would lead to an incident - but no-one could have foreseen a group of players walking off the pitch as Senegal did in that chaotic conclusion to normal time.
Now, the two best teams on the continent are at loggerheads. Even before Tuesday's decision, Senegal's prime minister had complained about the prison sentences given to 18 people from the country after being convicted of hooliganism offences during the final. Many of the Senegal players spoke out in support of those fans.
The teams will meet again soon - potentially even in the next Afcon final - and you wonder, with relations at an all-time low, what sort of occasion that will be.
Referee Jean-Jacques Ndala blew the final whistle of that match in Rabat almost two months ago, but the ramifications of events during the game will impact African football for a long time to come.
I am very, very surprised. The final was literally two months ago and no-one was expecting like this.
It's bittersweet. Of course, a trophy... you'd rather win it than not, but to win it this way doesn't help Moroccan football or African football in general.
There's no celebration. A cup, a trophy, especially for a nation who organised it like Morocco... to get told like this that, in the night, two months after... where are you going to celebrate it?
I think it's really sad. As a player, you won't feel like you have won it, even if you have the medal in your trophy cabinet. You will look at it and you know you lost the game on the pitch. It's just a decision outside that's been made in the offices.
It's just beyond me that Caf hasn't organised that in a better way.
It's sad for Morocco and for Senegal, and we'll have to see what the Court of Arbitration for Sport appeal brings as well, because there might be another twist.
African football needs to move on from that and needs to learn. That's the most important point.
