After up to 60 days of playing the 2025 AFCON finals in Morocco, where Senegal national football team won and went home with the trophy, the Confederation of African Football came up with a decision that it was Morocco national football team that won the match based on a petition Morocco filed.
They were granted a 3–0 victory. Reference is being made to FIFA rules that if a team leaves the field of play, they are deemed to have walked away, and the other team gets a walkover victory. But a walkover in football is when a team does not report to play at all — when they refuse to enter the pitch. In this case, Senegal were still in the stadium. One of their players was still on the pitch. The captain was there. The match even continued after about 12 minutes.
Morocco took the penalty awarded to them, missed it, and the match continued. Senegal eventually won the game. And according to football rules, the referee’s decision is final.
So the decision of the first panel that dismissed Morocco’s case should have stood.
After this long period of time, this reversal raises serious concerns. It is alleged that Morocco is holding CAF hostage — that they threatened not to host the Women’s AFCON competition. We already know the history of corruption in FIFA — from the era of Sepp Blatter to other scandals that have plagued global football.
So we begin to wonder: was this decision taken under duress? Especially when you consider the hostility and desperation displayed.
There were complaints about not giving enough tickets to opposing fans, issues with ball boys, even reports of interference with opposing players and goalkeepers, and questionable behaviour from security personnel.
Africa, my Africa… we are too desperate to win. You must not win at all costs. The end does not always justify the means.The means dignifies the end.
It is not every victory you should celebrate.
That is why we see things like age cheating — fielding “grandfathers” as under-13 or under-16 players. That is why many players struggle to last in top international leagues.
Though, thank God for players like Victor Osimhen who are excelling at the highest level. On the other hand, Senegal should have shown more maturity and composure.
Walking off the pitch in reaction was a rash decision. Even when Sadio Mané was appealing, the coaches and officials should have restrained the players.
Sometimes, restraint is power. They could have calmed down and still won the match without all this controversy.
If you are hot-tempered and listening to me:
A wise man controls his temper, but a fool gives full vent to anger.
May God help us. I feel sorry for Senegal…
But I feel more depressed that Morocco would claim such a victory.
At the end of the day, nobody will take Africa seriously if we continue like this.Anything we do — including our elections, our certificates — will be questioned.
