Morocco hosted the AFCON 2025 competition and they are also going to be part of the 2030 World Cup hosting countries. But the AFCON 2025 tournament, especially the Final, had a lot of issues that were quite embarrassing. First of all, there were complaints about officiating. We should have improved refereeing on the African continent. There was a World Cup played where there was no African referee at all. That is because of how we handle matches in Africa. There were many disputed calls—goals, penalties, goals that were disallowed. Even VAR, which is still subject to human interpretation, often looked like it had no real use in Africa.
Morocco is supposed to be an ancient civilisation. The oldest continuous degree-awarding university in the world is in Fez, Morocco. It is Al-Qarawiyyin University. Morocco also had Trans-Saharan trade and long interaction with Europe. So one would have expected their fans and citizens to be much better behaved. But what did we see? Ball boys and officials going to pick the towel of the opposing goalkeeper. Even Hakimi, who plays in Europe, joined in picking the goalkeeper’s towel. That was very shameful, very embarrassing, very uncultured. Even ticket distribution was questionable. Moroccan officials ensured that Senegalese supporters did not get tickets. Anytime the opposing team had the ball, they were booed loudly. That was their attitude throughout the competition. That is not fair for a nation that wants to host the World Cup.
You may contradict me by saying British fans are also unruly. Yes. Despite the age of the British Empire, British fans are among the most unruly in the world. I experienced this myself. I was in Wales when fans were going for a match. It looked like they were going to war. I had to dodge at the train station until they passed.
I was also in Barcelona with Dr. Ufuoma Apoki and interacted with an Espanyol fan. The aggression towards Barcelona was palpable. In a recent Espanyol vs Barcelona match, nets were placed behind the goalposts to stop fans from throwing bottles onto the pitch. That’s because Barcelona recently bought their goalkeeper.
One thing I’ve realized is that pressure brings out the real man in you. When Morocco was awarded a penalty in the dying minutes, the Senegalese team walked off the pitch. I reviewed both the penalty and the disallowed goal. In Africa, we must learn to do things properly.
Look at Zimbabwe elections—violence, intimidation, arrests, people chased from their homes. Cameroon, the same. Nigeria—pick, snatch, and run. When will we do things properly without violence and self-help?
But someone stood out. Sadio Mané. When Senegal walked off, Sadio Mané stayed on the pitch. He ran into the tunnel to call his teammates back. That is a man who is not afraid to lose honourably, even when cheated. That same spirit was what Peter Obi displayed in the 2023 elections. Yet Peter Obi did not resort to violence. If it had gone the other way, Nigeria might not have recovered from the chaos that would have followed. Obi calmed his supporters and Nigeria had peace.
He lost the election, but he is more respected today than the so-called winners. There are times you lose honourably. There are times you choose restraint to truly win.
The Senegalese team returned after about 10 minutes. Then Diaz attempted a Panenka-style penalty. But Diaz missed.
Senegal eventually won the match. But Sadio Mané won the hearts of the world.
He saved AFCON 2025. If Senegal had refused to return, it would have been one of the greatest disasters in international football. We need more people like Sadio Mané in Africa. At 33, I pray one day he becomes like George Weah—bringing leadership, humility, and development to Senegal.
AFCON 2025 also exposed the colour division in Africa. West, East, Central, and Southern Africa largely supported Senegal, while North Africa stood apart. Under pressure, people reveal their true nature. On that pitch, most players and fans were Muslims. Senegalese Muslims. Moroccan Muslims. Yet self-interest and the desire to win at all costs ruled. Religion cannot override character.
That’s why the Muslim cleric who saved Christians in Northern Nigeria deserves national recognition. That’s why I respect Aisha Yesufu—she stands for truth and justice.
AFCON revealed many lessons. We must not win at all costs. We must not fear losing honourably. We must stand for what is right.
Sadio Mané saved Africa from shame.
Congratulations to Senegal
Congratulations to Sadio Mané
And just like Michael Nkuka Mbolandiga, there were individuals who stood out and resonated with the world.
