AFCON
AFCON Final Under Cloud as Morocco–Senegal Dispute Deepens
The drama surrounding the Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal has taken a fresh twist, with new revelations suggesting the controversy extended far beyond what unfolded on the pitch.
While Senegal emerged victorious in the tense encounter, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is yet to officially validate the result, as Morocco continues to challenge the circumstances of the match.
Reports emerging from Spanish publication Diario AS now paint a picture of a final marred by disputes, strategic decisions, and chaotic scenes.
Pre-Match Tensions and Alleged Defiance
According to sources cited in the report, the Senegalese delegation may have ignored several logistical recommendations issued by organisers ahead of the final in Rabat.
Officials had reportedly advised teams to avoid certain transport routes due to crowd control concerns. However, Senegal is said to have opted for alternative arrangements, a move some insiders interpret as a calculated risk that later shaped the narrative of poor organisation.
Concerns also emerged over accommodation. Senegal had objected to being housed at the Mohammed VI Football Complex, Morocco’s technical centre, raising fears of possible surveillance.
Yet, the same facility had hosted other teams, including Cameroon, without incident and had even received positive reviews during the tournament.
Chaos in the Closing Moments
The tension reached a boiling point deep into stoppage time. In the 97th minute, a controversial penalty decision triggered scenes of confusion and protest.
Most of the Senegalese players reportedly walked off the pitch in protest, leaving only a handful, including star forward Sadio Mané, and some officials behind.
In an unusual twist, some players are said to have gone live on social media from the dressing room as the match hung in limbo.
The interruption, which lasted around 30 minutes, has since become a focal point of the controversy.
Reports suggest that during the break, match officials may have been instructed to avoid issuing yellow cards to Senegalese players upon their return, in an effort to prevent further escalation and possible dismissals.
CAF Caught in the Middle
CAF has since condemned what it described as “unacceptable behaviour” from both teams, acknowledging that the final fell short of expected standards.
Morocco, while admitting certain lapses—such as the conduct of ball boys toward Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy—has rejected any portrayal of Senegal as the sole victim in the saga.
Instead, the dispute has now shifted beyond the pitch, evolving into a broader battle involving legal arguments, administrative review, and international public opinion.
A Title Still in Limbo
Despite Senegal’s triumph on the field, uncertainty lingers over the official status of the result. The delay in validation underscores the seriousness of the issues raised and the complexity of resolving them.
For African football, the episode raises troubling questions about match organisation, officiating integrity, and team conduct at the highest level of the game.
As CAF deliberates, what should have been a celebration of continental football excellence has instead become a case study in controversy—one that may yet redefine how such disputes are handled in the future.
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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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