The Confederation of African Football (CAF) continues to come under heavy fire following its controversial decision to overturn the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final result.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that CAF is currently in the middle of a thick reputational storm after stripping Senegal of the 2025 AFCON title and awarding the title to Morocco.
The CAF Appeal Board in its ruling held that a 15-minute walk-off by Senegalese players during the January final in Rabat contravened the laws.
However, this ruling has been labeled a “rape of justice” by critics and sparked a heated debate among the continent’s most iconic football figures.
Already, Senegal has kicked against the ruling and vowed to challenge the judgment.
Reacting, Samuel Eto’o, the Cameroon Football Federation president questioned the credibility of CAF’s ruling.
He maintained that the CAF has no legal right to strip Senegal of its title.
“They have given the world a reason to never take AFCON seriously. How will you lose a final and win it two months later? The whole world knows the real winners. Senegal has proof that they won the AFCON,” Eto’o said.
Former Liberian president and football icon, George Manneh Weah, has also criticised the CAF over its decision to strip Senegal of the 2025 AFCON title.
In a statement released on Thursday, Weah argued that the ruling violates the fundamental principles of football, emphasising that matches must be decided on the pitch, not overturned post-match by committees.
Citing Law 5 of the FIFA Laws of the Game, Weah noted that referees are the final authority during matches, and their decisions on in-game incidents – such as penalties, offside calls, and red cards – cannot be reversed after the final whistle.
“For this reason, the subsequent decision by CAF, taken after the match had already been concluded, should not override the authority exercised by the referee during the game,” Weah said, describing the action as a “travesty” that undermines the integrity and fairness of African football.
Weah urged the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and other relevant bodies to intervene decisively to prevent what he called a dangerous precedent, warning that allowing committees to overturn match results post-game threatens the credibility of football worldwide.
Also, speaking on the matter, former Chelsea and Ivory Coast striker, Didier Drogba lambasted CAF over the ruling.
He stated that the ruling is capable of undermining African football’s reputation.
“We all watched Senegal fight bravely and defeat Morocco in a historic final. But now, months later, a decision made in a boardroom has changed that story. This isn’t just about one trophy. It’s about the credibility, dignity, and spirit of African football. Africa is not small. Africa has produced giants—players who conquered Europe and inspired millions,” he stated.
In his reaction, Senegal’s winger and superstar, Sadio Mané described the ruling as corruption.
Mané, part of Senegal’s AFCON-winning team, stated that: “What happened has gone too far. This is not the football we fight for, not the Africa we believe in. There is too much corruption in our game, and it’s killing the passion of millions of fans across the continent.
“Players give everything on the pitch, but decisions off it are deciding matches and trophies. I’m deeply disappointed not just for Senegal, but for African football as a whole. We deserve better. The fans deserve fairness, transparency, and respect.”
Similarly, a former Egyptian international Ahmed Hossam Mido launched a fierce attack on CAF, saying that: “A real joke, the biggest scandal in the history of football. There must be a revolution in African football. All these people must go today, not tomorrow. Senegal was the better team in the final; they deserve to be the champions of Africa. It’s clear, simple, and you all know it.”
In her reaction, Nigerian striker Asisat Oshoala, who is also a six-time African Footballer of the Year, said: “In CAF’s book, not in OUR book!!!”
