- Senegal condemned CAF’s ruling and confirmed plans to appeal to CAS
- Former African and European footballers criticized the decision as unjust and unprecedented
- The controversial award sparked global debate on African football governance and fairness
The Senegalese Football Federation has confirmed it will appeal the controversial Confederation of African Football (CAF) decision awarding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title to Morocco.
Abdoulaye Seydou Sow, the federation’s secretary-general, told Senegalese broadcaster RTS 1 that the appeals jury had acted without independence. “We felt that the jury wasn’t there to uphold the law, but to carry out an order. We will stop at nothing. The law is on our side. The fight is far from over. Senegal will defend its rights to the very end,” he said.
The ruling has provoked outrage across Africa and beyond. Former Nigerian senator Shehu Sani described it as “daylight robbery,” adding on X (formerly Twitter), “Senegal won the AFCON on the pitch but was snatched by CAF in the boardroom. That’s unconscionable and a dangerous precedent in African football.”
Global football voices also expressed disbelief. Former Nigeria international Etim Esin dismissed the decision as politically motivated. “From day one, they wanted Morocco to win this AFCON, and it showed. African football is always political, and they are embarrassing the entire continent. Senegal will not accept this,” he told The PUNCH.
Azubuike Egwuekwe, an AFCON 2013 winner, described the move as unprecedented. “This is the first I have ever heard of a thing like this happening. Do they now want to go and collect the title from Senegal, or will they make a new trophy for Morocco?”
Nigeria’s star footballer Asisat Oshoala addressed CAF directly on X: “Morocco are champions in your books, not ours.”
The ruling has drawn criticism from European footballers as well. Former Patrice Evra, ex-Manchester United defender, called it “a disgrace for African football, a scandal. The Africa Cup of Nations has lost all credibility. The real champions are Senegal, and they always will be.”
Former Manchester City forward Samir Nasri questioned the logic and timing of the decision, noting that it arrived weeks after the final had been played and celebrated. Speaking on Canal Champions Club, he remarked, “If they had done it the same evening or the next day, we could understand, but now? Next time, will they do it in 2035?”
The delayed and controversial ruling has intensified scrutiny of CAF governance, raising concerns over fairness, transparency, and the credibility of the continent’s flagship football tournament. Senegal’s formal appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is expected to reignite debate over African football administration in the coming weeks.