AFCON
Ex-CAF Disciplinary Chief Slams Sanctions over Morocco–Senegal AFCON Final
Raymond Hack, the former Chairman of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Disciplinary Committee, has launched a scathing critique of the sanctions imposed over the incidents that marred the Africa Cup of Nations final between hosts Morocco and Senegal, describing the rulings as weak and damaging to the image of African football.
Hack, South African, placed primary responsibility for the chaos on Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw, insisting that CAF failed to properly address the root cause of the unrest that followed a controversial VAR decision during the final.
“I have reviewed the CAF Disciplinary Committee’s decision, and I must be frank: I feel they have let African football down with this ruling,” Hack said. “The entire incident stemmed from the conduct of the Senegalese coach. Everything that happened was triggered by this individual leading his players off the pitch and preventing them from continuing the match.”
CAF had sanctioned Senegal with a $300,000 fine and imposed a five-match suspension on Thiaw from official CAF competitions. However, Hack argued that the punishment was neither proportionate nor effective as a deterrent.
“Imposing a $300,000 fine along with a five-match suspension is, in my view, an incorrect decision,” he said. “When players step onto the pitch, they understand that the referee’s decision is final. Whether the referee is right, wrong or even biased, you are obliged to comply.”
According to Hack, the coach’s actions inflamed tensions on and off the pitch, provoking confrontations involving players from both teams and reactions from supporters — scenes he said should never be tolerated in elite competition.
He also criticised the match officials for failing to take firmer action during the incident, particularly against players who surrounded and confronted the referee during the VAR review.
“Red cards should have been shown,” Hack said. “The fact that these players received only two-match suspensions for bringing the game into disrepute is hardly significant. A player sent off or suspended for yellow cards normally misses two matches anyway.”
Hack warned that the decision could set a dangerous precedent for discipline in African football, especially given the status of coaches as role models.
“The coach is a figure everyone looks up to — especially children,” he noted. “Now people are asking: if this is how CAF handles such matters, what should we expect going forward?”
He further questioned the financial impact of the sanctions, pointing out that the fines pale in comparison to the prize money awarded at the tournament.
“When the winning team received $10 million, and the runner-up earned $4 million, a $300,000 fine becomes almost negligible,” Hack said. “Personally, I would have called for a suspension of no less than six months from all football-related activities.”
Hack also took issue with the fact that Thiaw remains eligible to participate in future competitions, including the World Cup, describing this as “completely inappropriate” and a signal that CAF is not firm enough in enforcing discipline.
“This sends the wrong message,” he said. “CAF has worked hard to improve its image, but the chairperson of the committee had the option to impose far heavier sanctions in order to restore confidence in the system.”
While stressing that he was not excusing the conduct of either team, Hack maintained that the disciplinary process fell short of what was required.
“I am not justifying the behaviour of the Moroccan or Senegalese players — what they did was entirely wrong,” he said. “But I firmly believe that stricter measures should have been taken against all parties involved.”
CAF is yet to respond publicly to Hack’s comments, which are likely to reignite debate over governance, accountability and disciplinary consistency within African football.
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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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