CAF President Patrice Motsepe Insists No Favouritism in 2025 AFCON Final Controversy
CAF President Patrice Motsepe has firmly defended the Confederation’s handling of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final controversy, insisting no African nation will receive special treatment.
The dramatic final in Rabat saw Senegal lift the trophy with a 1-0 extra-time victory over hosts Morocco on January 18. The Teranga Lions walked off the pitch in stoppage time after a late penalty was awarded to Morocco, leading to a 17-minute delay before play resumed, and eventually Real Madrid star Brahim Diaz failed to score from
12-yards.
CAF’s Appeal Board later ruled that Senegal breached Articles 82 and 84 of the regulations by leaving the field without authorisation. The board overturned the result, declared Senegal to have forfeited the match, and awarded Morocco a 3-0 win, officially crowning the Atlas Lions as 2025 AFCON champions.
Motsepe addressed the widespread backlash and dismissed any suggestions of bias in the process.
“No single African country will be treated in a manner that is preferential or advantageous or more favourable than any other country on the African continent,” he stated, emphasising the independence of CAF’s disciplinary and appeal bodies.
The decision has sparked strong reactions across the continent. Senegal’s Football Federation and government have condemned the ruling as unfair and unprecedented, vowing to challenge it at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) while calling for probes into possible corruption at CAF.
Morocco’s FA, however, welcomed the outcome as a fair application of the rules.
The ongoing dispute continues to divide opinions in African football. Many fans and stakeholders await the CAS process, as the controversy raises fresh questions about governance, trust, and fairness in the continent’s premier tournament.
By: Iddrisu Abdul Rahim
