Former federal lawmaker Senator Shehu Sani has condemned the Confederation of African Football for stripping Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and declaring Morocco as the winner, describing the decision as daylight robbery and a dangerous precedent for African football.
CAF announced on Tuesday evening that its Appeal Board had ruled in favour of Morocco, declaring that Senegal forfeited the AFCON final after their players walked off the pitch during the match. Morocco were subsequently awarded a 3-0 walkover victory, overturning the result of the game that Senegal had won on the field by a lone goal.
The controversy stemmed from events during the final when the centre referee awarded Morocco a controversial penalty. Senegalese players, reportedly led by their coach, protested the decision by walking off the pitch. Only captain Sadio Mane remained on the field and eventually persuaded his teammates to return and continue the match. Morocco went on to miss the penalty and Senegal won the game, but CAF’s Appeal Board ruled that the walkout constituted a forfeit.
Reacting angrily on his official X account, Sani wrote, “Senegal won the AFCON on the pitch but was snatched by CAF in the Boardroom. That’s unconscionable and a dangerous precedent in African football.”
He added, “The fact that the Senegalese team walked out in protest and returned to play till the final whistle doesn’t warrant this afterthought daylight robbery. They just want to reward Morocco for hosting and losing.”
Sani’s reaction reflects widespread outrage across the continent, with many football fans and commentators accusing CAF of favouring the host nation despite Senegal completing the match and winning it on the field. Critics argue that since the Senegalese players returned and played until the final whistle, there is no justification for overturning the result after the fact…..See More
Leave a Reply