African football figures slam CAF decision to strip Senegal of AFCON title

Several active and former footballers across the African continent have slammed the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) decision to strip s of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title and award it to Morocco, calling it an embarrassment for African football.

CAF confirmed the ruling on Tuesday night, two months after a chaotic final, with its Appeal Board declaring that Senegal had forfeited the match after walking off the pitch during their clash with hosts Morocco in January. The decision hands Morocco a 3-0 victory.

The CAF Appeal Board decided that in application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 (“the Match”),…

— CAF Media (@CAF_Media) March 17, 2026

Senegal had originally won the match 1-0 in extra time, following a controversial stoppage-time penalty awarded to Morocco. The incident led to a delay of more than 17 minutes after Senegal players left the field in protest.

Senegal star, Sadio Mané, described the decision as damaging to the integrity of the sport.

“What has happened here goes too far. This is not the football we fight for, nor the Africa we believe in,” he said on Instagram.

“There is too much corruption in our sport and that is killing the passion of millions of fans across the continent. The players give their all on the pitch, but decisions off the pitch determine the outcome of matches and titles.”

🚨Sadio Mane OFFICIAL Statement:

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… pic.twitter.com/ggLbJ8m8C5

— fan (@NoodleHairCR7) March 17, 2026

Chelsea and Ivory Coast legend Didier Drogba also weighed in, calling the decision a disgrace.

“Things like this only happen in Africa. I’m not sure this would happen in the Euros. It’s a disgrace to Africa and football. A country like this shouldn’t be allowed to host a football tournament again, Senegal is the real winner we all know.”

The Senegalese government has since called for an investigation into alleged corruption within CAF, while the country’s football federation has confirmed it will appeal the decision.

Social media has been flooded with reactions after the announcement sparked widespread outrage.

Ref is the one to blame not Senegal…also when the Senegalese returned to the pitch Morocco played the penalty and it was saved..just for Senegal to score a winning goal..its unfair

— Martin Bubasio (@bubasio61430) March 18, 2026

You’re such an embarrassment to the whole world of football, for your stup!d overturned decision to strip off Senegal 🇸🇳 Afcon trophy

— Gistmemoore (@gistmemorre) March 18, 2026

Other Africans are with Senegal.👊🏻

If CAF withdraws the Senegalese national team from her competition, other Black African nations should boycott the tournament.@CAF_Media pic.twitter.com/iLFcwac5yD

— TechMan🥈 (@TechMan__) March 18, 2026

Written by: Ntsako Mukhari