Senegalese football fans have condemned the decision to strip their country of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and award it to Morocco, calling the move a disgrace for Africa .
Many supporters in Dakar said they were shocked to wake up to the news that the Confederation of African Football had overturned Senegal’s victory in the final played in Rabat on January 18 .
CAF ruled late on Tuesday that Senegal had forfeited the match after several of their players walked off the pitch in stoppage time to protest a penalty awarded to Morocco, before later returning to continue the game .
Morocco missed the penalty and Senegal’s Pape Gueye scored in extra time to secure a 1 0 win, but CAF’s appeals committee later applied competition rules stating that any team that refuses to play or leaves the field without the referee’s permission is considered to have lost 3 0 and is eliminated from the tournament .
Dakar resident Gora Ndiaye said the decision felt like a heavy blow and argued that if CAF wanted to apply the rule, it should have done so immediately after the incident, not two months later, describing the ruling as a disgrace for Africa .
Another fan, Assietou Diallo, said she initially laughed in disbelief when she heard the news, before realising that Senegal’s title had actually been taken away long after the celebrations had ended .
Local newspapers in Senegal used headlines such as Big Continental Farce, Joke of the Century and Unprecedented Scandal to express anger over the move .
Senegal’s football authorities have vowed to challenge the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, calling CAF’s ruling unjust, unprecedented and unacceptable .
Supporters insist that regardless of the official verdict, they still see Senegal as the true champions because the team won the game on the pitch and the whole world witnessed Morocco miss the penalty and Senegal score the decisive goal .
Some fans, however, have taken a more measured tone, saying they are not entirely surprised given that Senegal’s players briefly left the pitch and that CAF has now decided to enforce the competition regulations .
They noted that star forward Sadio Mane appeared to be one of the few who tried to keep a cool head during the chaotic moments at the end of the final .
About the author
Spyro says God changed his story after 16 years in music
Afrobeats singer Spyro says 16 years of struggle in the music industry finally paid off three years ago, crediting God for changing his story and lifting his career . In a post shared on social media, he recalled going through a period of deep disappointment and hardship just before his breakthrough came . He explained that it was at his lowest point that things began to turn around, which he believes was a clear sign of divine intervention . Spyro now uses his experience to encourage others who feel stuck or are thinking of giving up on their dreams . He urged them to stay committed, keep working and trust that their own turnaround can still happen no matter how long they have been struggling . The singer said he has been pushing his music for 16 years and never […]
Spyro says God changed his story after 16 years in music
Afrobeats singer Spyro says 16 years of struggle in the music industry finally paid off three years ago, crediting God for changing his story and lifting his career . In a post shared on social media, he recalled going through a period of deep disappointment and hardship just before his breakthrough came . He explained that it was at his lowest point that things began to turn around, which he believes was a clear sign of divine intervention . Spyro now uses his experience to encourage others who feel stuck or are thinking of giving up on their dreams . He urged them to stay committed, keep working and trust that their own turnaround can still happen no matter how long they have been struggling . The singer said he has been pushing his music for 16 years and never […]
Enzo Fernandez unsure over Chelsea future after Champions League exit
Enzo Fernandez has hinted he could leave Chelsea at the end of the season after the club were knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint Germain . Chelsea lost 3 0 at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, completing an 8 3 aggregate defeat in their last 16 tie against the French champions . The world club champions are currently sixth in the Premier League and risk missing out on Champions League qualification for next season . Fernandez captained Chelsea in the second leg in the absence of injured skipper Reece James but did little to end speculation about his future when speaking after the game . Asked by ESPN if he would still be at Stamford Bridge next season, the 25 year old Argentina midfielder replied that there are eight league matches and the FA Cup still to play, […]
Chelle drops Osimhen Nwabali as he unveils Super Eagles squad for friendlies
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has named captain Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and Ademola Lookman in a 23 man squad for Nigeria’s upcoming friendlies against Iran and Jordan in Turkey . The matches, originally scheduled for Amman, were moved to Antalya following the outbreak of military conflict in the Middle East, according to a statement by Nigeria Football Federation Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire . Nigeria will face Iran on March 27 in Antalya at 4 p.m. and then play Jordan on March 31 at 8 p.m. as part of preparations for future competitive fixtures . Chelle also handed call ups to Maduka Okoye, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Frank Onyeka, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Akor Adams and Paul Onuachu, among others . Debut invitations went to Emmanuel Fernandez, Philip Otele and Collins Yira Sor, while goalkeeper Adeleye Adebayo returned to the […]
Senegal fans brand AFCON title loss to Morocco a disgrace for Africa
Senegalese football fans have condemned the decision to strip their country of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and award it to Morocco, calling the move a disgrace for Africa . Many supporters in Dakar said they were shocked to wake up to the news that the Confederation of African Football had overturned Senegal’s victory in the final played in Rabat on January 18 . CAF ruled late on Tuesday that Senegal had forfeited the match after several of their players walked off the pitch in stoppage time to protest a penalty awarded to Morocco, before later returning to continue the game . Morocco missed the penalty and Senegal’s Pape Gueye scored in extra time to secure a 1 0 win, but CAF’s appeals committee later applied competition rules stating that any team that refuses to play or leaves […]
CDS COAS DG NEMA relocate to Maiduguri after Tinubu directive
Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu and Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency have relocated to Maiduguri, Borno State, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive . The move comes in response to a recent surge in Boko Haram and ISWAP attacks and bombings in Borno, including deadly explosions in Maiduguri, the state capital . Tinubu had ordered all service chiefs and heads of key security agencies to move to Maiduguri to coordinate intensified operations aimed at quickly restoring security and public confidence in the North East . On Wednesday, Oluyede and Shaibu arrived at the Maiduguri Air Force Base, where they were received by the Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force North East Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, and other senior officers . The service chiefs later proceeded […]
Related
Enzo Fernandez unsure over Chelsea future after Champions League exit
Enzo Fernandez has hinted he could leave Chelsea at the end of the season after the club were knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint Germain . Chelsea lost 3 0 at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, completing an 8 3 aggregate defeat in their last 16 tie against the French champions . The world club champions are currently sixth in the Premier League and risk missing out on Champions League qualification for next season . Fernandez captained Chelsea in the second leg in the absence of injured skipper Reece James but did little to end speculation about his future when speaking after the game . Asked by ESPN if he would still be at Stamford Bridge next season, the 25 year old Argentina midfielder replied that there are eight league matches and the FA Cup still to play, […]
Chelle drops Osimhen Nwabali as he unveils Super Eagles squad for friendlies
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has named captain Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and Ademola Lookman in a 23 man squad for Nigeria’s upcoming friendlies against Iran and Jordan in Turkey . The matches, originally scheduled for Amman, were moved to Antalya following the outbreak of military conflict in the Middle East, according to a statement by Nigeria Football Federation Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire . Nigeria will face Iran on March 27 in Antalya at 4 p.m. and then play Jordan on March 31 at 8 p.m. as part of preparations for future competitive fixtures . Chelle also handed call ups to Maduka Okoye, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Frank Onyeka, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Akor Adams and Paul Onuachu, among others . Debut invitations went to Emmanuel Fernandez, Philip Otele and Collins Yira Sor, while goalkeeper Adeleye Adebayo returned to the […]
Morocco awarded AFCON 2025 after CAF ruling
Morocco have officially been crowned champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) overturned the initial result of the final against Senegal. The match, played on 18 January, originally ended in a 1–0 victory for Senegal. However, it was marked by controversy when Senegalese players temporarily refused to continue play after a stoppage-time penalty was awarded to Morocco while the score was still level. After a delay of approximately 17 minutes, the game resumed. Morocco’s penalty, taken by Brahim Díaz, was saved, and Senegal later secured victory through an extra-time goal from Pape Gueye. Following a formal appeal by the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), CAF’s appeal board reviewed the incident and ruled that Senegal’s actions constituted a breach of tournament regulations. As a result, Senegal were deemed to have forfeited the match, which […]
Lagos to host 2026 youth swimming talent trials
Lagos State will host the 2026 Swimming Trials for young athletes on March 22, 2026, at the Rowe Park Sports Complex in Yaba . The event will bring together emerging talents from across the state as the Lagos State Sports Commission works to identify swimmers who can represent Lagos in future national and international competitions . The trials are open to active male and female swimmers aged 16 and under, with entries expected from clubs, schools and training centres across Lagos . According to the Commission, the programme is part of a wider plan to deepen grassroots sports development and strengthen the talent pipeline in aquatic sports . Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, said the trials reflect the state’s commitment to building a strong foundation for sports through structured competitions and systematic athlete identification . […]
Iran in talks with FIFA to move US World Cup games to Mexico
Iran’s football federation says it is in talks with FIFA about moving the national team’s World Cup group matches from the United States to Mexico because of the war in the Middle East and security concerns . Iran are due to play New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles and Egypt in Seattle at this summer’s tournament, which is being hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico . However, Iran’s embassy in Mexico said on Monday that officials are now “negotiating” with FIFA to have Iran’s matches held in Mexico instead of the United States . Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian football federation, was quoted on the embassy’s X account as saying that when US President Donald Trump has openly said he cannot guarantee the security of the Iranian team, the squad will certainly not travel to America […]
African players in Europe: Sub Salah fails to sink Spurs
Egypt captain Mohamed Salah came off the bench for Liverpool at the weekend but could not stop his team from dropping two crucial points against Tottenham Hotspur.A last minute goal earned lowly Spurs a 1–1 draw at Anfield, leaving Liverpool fifth in the Premier League table, two points behind Aston Villa with eight games left. Salah was among several regular starters who began on the bench as Liverpool manager Arne Slot rotated his side ahead of a Champions League tie against Galatasaray.He was introduced in the 64th minute and soon had a big chance to double Liverpool’s lead after a defensive error from Spurs centre back Radu Dragusin. Cody Gakpo’s high ball caused confusion in the Tottenham box, but Salah scuffed his shot wide of the post.That miss proved costly as Brazilian forward Richarlison struck a late equaliser for Spurs […]
Be the first to leave a comment