AFCON
AFCON 2025 Final in Legal Limbo as Explosive Reports Reveal Chaos, Contradictions
The controversy surrounding the January 18 final of the Africa Cup of Nations in Rabat has taken a dramatic new turn, following revelations by French newspaper Le Monde, which has obtained and reviewed five official match reports that sharply contradict decisions taken by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Nearly three months after the ill-fated final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, the winner of the tournament remains uncertain, with the case now before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
CAF’s Appeal Committee stripped Senegal of the title, while the latter has headed to CAS
A Night of Chaos in Rabat
What was meant to be a showpiece finale between Senegal and hosts Morocco descended into confusion amid torrential rain and rising tension. Senegal initially secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory, denying Morocco a second continental title, fifty years after their first triumph.
However, the match was marred by extraordinary scenes late in regulation time. With Morocco awarded a contentious penalty in the dying minutes, Senegalese players and officials protested vehemently and eventually walking off the pitch in defiance. The interruption lasted approximately 14 minutes before play resumed.
Morocco missed the penalty, and Senegal went on to clinch victory in extra time through Pape Gueye. What appeared to be a historic triumph for the Lions of Teranga soon spiralled into a legal and administrative crisis.
Morocco’s Protest and CAF’s Reversal
In the aftermath, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation filed two formal appeals to CAF, arguing that Senegal’s temporary withdrawal constituted abandonment of the match—an offence punishable by forfeiture under CAF regulations.
On March 17, CAF’s Appeals Committee upheld Morocco’s argument, ruling that Senegal had forfeited the match. In a stunning and unprecedented decision, the committee awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory, effectively overturning the on-field result.
Senegal’s football authorities swiftly rejected the ruling and escalated the matter to CAS, insisting that the decision violated both sporting integrity and due process.
Le Monde Investigation Raises Alarming Questions
The investigation by Le Monde has now cast serious doubt on the handling of the final by CAF and its officials.
Drawing on five official reports, including those of the referee, match commissioner, and security officials, the newspaper describes a match “spiralling out of control,” with regulations allegedly ignored in favour of avoiding public embarrassment.
The most critical moment, according to the reports, occurred in the 97th minute. Officials, including Tunisia’s Khaled Lemkecher and Egypt’s Ahmed Osman, reportedly confirmed that Senegal “abandoned the match” by retreating to the dressing room, a clear violation that should have triggered immediate forfeiture.
Yet, despite this, the match was allowed to continue.
Even more controversially, the report alleges that behind-the-scenes “instructions” were issued to the referee not to send off Senegalese players who had already been cautioned when play resumed. The aim, it is claimed, was to prevent a potential scandal during the live broadcast of the final.
CAF Under Scrutiny
These revelations have exposed deep contradictions within CAF’s handling of the incident. While the Appeals Committee eventually ruled in Morocco’s favour based on the abandonment argument, the decision to allow the match to continue on the night—and to validate Senegal’s eventual victory before reversing it weeks later—raises questions about procedural consistency and governance.
Observers say the situation highlights a troubling pattern of “ad-hoc” decision-making, where written regulations appear secondary to immediate reputational concerns.
CAS Decision Looms
The case now rests with the Court of Arbitration for Sport, whose ruling could have far-reaching implications for African football governance.
If CAS adheres strictly to the evidence contained in the official reports cited by Le Monde, there is a strong possibility that Morocco could be definitively awarded the title. Conversely, Senegal will argue that the match’s continuation effectively nullified any claim of abandonment, making CAF’s later reversal legally untenable.
A Crisis of Credibility
Beyond determining the rightful winner, the controversy has plunged African football into a broader credibility crisis. The AFCON final, traditionally a celebration of the continent’s footballing excellence, has instead become a case study in administrative confusion, conflicting interpretations, and institutional fragility.
At stake is not just a trophy, but the integrity of competition governance on the continent. As the football world awaits CAS’s verdict, one lesson is already clear: when rules are bent in the heat of the moment, the consequences can linger long after the final whistle.
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Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe has praised Morocco’s King Mohammed VI for what he described as a powerful gesture of unity and reconciliation following the royal pardon granted to Senegalese supporters convicted over offences linked to the final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
In a statement released on Saturday, Motsepe expressed deep appreciation on behalf of CAF’s 54 member associations, hailing the Moroccan monarch’s decision as a demonstration of football’s ability to foster peace and solidarity across the continent.
“I would like to express our deep gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, for granting His Royal Pardon to the Senegalese supporters convicted of offences relating to the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025,” Motsepe stated.
The CAF president said the pardon reflected Morocco’s enduring commitment to African unity and highlighted football’s growing role as a bridge between nations and cultures.
“CAF has consistently emphasised its commitment to utilise football to contribute to uniting our people from different racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds,” he said.
“The pardon by His Majesty King Mohammed VI is an uplifting and motivating illustration of the power of football to unite and bring our people together in Africa and worldwide.”
Motsepe also revealed that during recent visits to both Morocco and Senegal, he had been struck by the deep historical and cultural bonds shared by the two countries.
“I was amazed and impressed when I was briefed about the historic and extensive ties between the people of Senegal and Morocco,” he added.
The statement further reinforced Morocco’s rising influence within African football, especially after successfully hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and positioning itself as one of Africa’s leading football destinations ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Motsepe also extended CAF’s best wishes to Africa’s representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expressing confidence that the continent’s teams would perform strongly on the global stage.
Among the African nations mentioned were Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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By Kunle Solaja.
Former African champions Algeria and Zambia are set for an early showdown after the release of the Group I fixtures for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Algeria host Zambia on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, in what is expected to be one of the headline fixtures of the qualifying campaign, while Togo entertain Burundi in the group’s other opening tie.
The Desert Foxes are favourites to qualify, but Zambia’s growing consistency and Togo’s unpredictability could make the race highly competitive.
Algeria travel to Burundi on Matchday Two before facing Togo in back-to-back encounters across Matchdays Three and Four. Zambia also meet Burundi home and away during the same period.
The potentially decisive fixture comes on March 22, 2027, when Zambia host Algeria in a clash that could determine the final standings.
Group I Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Algeria vs Zambia
- Togo vs Burundi
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Zambia vs Togo
- Burundi vs Algeria
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Algeria vs Togo
- Zambia vs Burundi
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Togo vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Zambia
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Zambia vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Togo
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Togo vs Zambia
- Algeria vs Burundi
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By Kunle Solaja.
African heavyweights Senegal will launch their quest for another Africa Cup of Nations appearance with a home clash against Mozambique in Group J of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
The Lions of Teranga, among the continent’s strongest teams in recent years, headline a group that also includes Sudan and Ethiopia.
Senegal host Mozambique on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, while Sudan tackle Ethiopia in the other opening encounter.
Senegal are strong favourites to dominate the group, but Sudan and Mozambique are expected to battle fiercely for qualification points.
The key fixtures may emerge in the double-header between Senegal and Sudan across Matchdays Three and Four, while Mozambique and Ethiopia also face each other home and away.
Senegal travel to Mozambique on Matchday Five before ending their campaign at home against Ethiopia on March 30, 2027.
Group J Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Senegal vs Mozambique
- Sudan vs Ethiopia
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Mozambique vs Sudan
- Ethiopia vs Senegal
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Senegal vs Sudan
- Mozambique vs Ethiopia
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Sudan vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Mozambique
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Mozambique vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Sudan
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Sudan vs Mozambique
- Senegal vs Ethiopia
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