AFCON
CAF Hands Heavy Sanctions to Senegal, Morocco After Chaotic AFCON 2025 Final
By Kunle Solaja.
The Confédération of African Football (CAF) has imposed a raft of disciplinary sanctions on the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), as well as several players and officials, following incidents that marred the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 final.
In a statement issued after deliberations by its Disciplinary Board, CAF said the sanctions were imposed for violations of the CAF Disciplinary Code, particularly breaches of the principles of fair play, integrity and conduct that brought the game into disrepute.
Senegal Hit with Heavy Suspensions and Fines
Senegal bore the brunt of the sanctions, with national team head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw handed a five-match suspension from official CAF competitions for unsporting conduct. CAF ruled that his actions violated the principles of fair play and integrity and brought the game into disrepute. He was also fined USD 100,000.
Two Senegalese players were also sanctioned for their conduct towards match officials. Iliman Cheikh Baroy NdiayeandIsmaila Sarrwere each suspended for two official CAF matches for unsporting behaviour towards the referee.
At the federation level, the FSF was fined a total of USD 615,000. CAF imposed a USD 300,000 fine for the improper conduct of Senegalese supporters, which brought the game into disrepute, and another USD 300,000 fine for the unsporting conduct of the team’s players and technical staff. An additional USD 15,000 fine was levied after five Senegalese players received cautions during the match.
Moroccan Players, FA Also Sanctioned
Morocco was not spared, as CAF also imposed disciplinary measures on players and the Moroccan football federation.
Star defender Achraf Hakimi was suspended for two official CAF matches, with one match suspended for a probationary period of one year, for unsporting behaviour. Midfielder Ismaël Saibari received a three-match suspension and was fined USD 100,000 for similar offences.
The Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) was fined USD 200,000 for the inappropriate behaviour of stadium ball boys during the final. CAF also imposed a USD 100,000 fine on the FRMF for the improper conduct of Morocco’s players and technical staff, who invaded the VAR review area and obstructed the referee’s work, in violation of Articles 82 and 83 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.
In addition, the Moroccan federation was fined USD 15,000 for the use of lasers by its supporters during the match.
CAF Rejects Morocco’s Protest
CAF also addressed the protest lodged by the FRMF against the FSF, which alleged violations of Articles 82 and 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations during the final.
After reviewing the complaint, the CAF Disciplinary Board rejected the protest in its entirety, ruling that the claims did not warrant disciplinary action under the cited regulations.
The CAF decisions bring formal closure to the disciplinary proceedings arising from the controversial AFCON 2025 final, which had been overshadowed by on-field confrontations, crowd misconduct and disputes surrounding officiating decisions.
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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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