African Football Discussion Thread Current Topic: 👉 AFCON 2025/2026

[Amphenomenon]

why are they yet to banned the US who intentionally used nuclear weapons twice on the 176 elementary all girls school in Iran?! Fifa the footballing body has become a lot more political than most of you thoughts.

The US didn't use Nuclear weapons, it was a missile but no country is or has used that after the first time against Japan.

"Geopolitics has nothing to do with sports"  laughable thing to write truthfully.

Two years of the Russia/Ukraine war and Russia are still banned from being involved in international football,  while two years of the Israel genocide in Palestine and Gaza has been overlooked. And why are they yet to banned the US who intentionally used nuclear weapons twice on the 176 elementary all girls school in Iran?! Fifa the footballing body has become a lot more political than most of you thoughts.

You have this feeling that powerful countries like the US and Israel face fewer sanctions in sports. But that's not true! Sincerely I was waiting for this argumnet.

In the case of the sanction on Russia. Most European countries refused to play against Russia, as it was causing chaos, and teams were boycotting the competition because of it. This made FIFA and other football bodies act immediately. It was after other countries refused to play against Russia that the football federation acted. But as for Iran, Nigeria still chose to play against them. And other countries still do. The same thing goes for the United States.

Even if the government supports Iran this is still different from the world cup. Iran wasn't banned by FIFA and so I don't even expect us to have a reason to cancel the game.

There are also political reasons why the US and Israel hasn't faced any charges but you see another reason is that the masses doesn't see them in that manner also.

[Slow death]

Geopolitics has nothing to do with sports. Any government that stands against sport while carrying out a war should be ready to wage war against the entire nation. This is not a threat. I bet you, Trump and other government officials know about this.

The match was held, no casualties, no threat, simply a game of football enjoyed by the viewers. I think you have overemphasized the war. That's why you believe it will affect sports.

"Geopolitics has nothing to do with sports"  laughable thing to write truthfully.

Two years of the Russia/Ukraine war and Russia are still banned from being involved in international football,  while two years of the Israel genocide in Palestine and Gaza has been overlooked. And why are they yet to banned the US who intentionally used nuclear weapons twice on the 176 elementary all girls school in Iran?! Fifa the footballing body has become a lot more political than most of you thoughts.

If you could choose:

Right now, go live in Iran

Right now, go live in Israel

Right now, go live in the United States of America

Where would you live?

The only rule would be this: you would become a native citizen of that country and you would have to test protesting in the streets against the government only 5 times.

In which of these countries would you be burned for protesting? Did you see the number of deaths in the recent demonstrations in Iran carried out by the Iranian regime? Was it Israel and the United States that killed all those protesters?

Do you really think that if Iran hosted the World Cup, players from the United States would set foot in Iran and come out alive? But if Iran decided to play in the US in that World Cup, they would come out alive and safe. That's the big difference between terrorists and democracy, and I'm not talking about religion. Those in the Iranian government are mentally ill, they are terrorists, they are bloodthirsty. I feel sorry for the deaths of innocent people, but Iran has also killed many innocent people. If Israel and the United States don't stop the Iranian regime, the world will not be safe.

[Adbitco]

What's wrong with this Moroccans? Today, before the kickoff of that Senegal match Vs Peru, we saw how they entered the pitch with the AFCON trophy they won in Morocco against Morocco. That's a clear indication that they are holding unto it as the champions and are not willing to give it out as instructed by CAF. Morocco in their bid yo do what I don't really understand, their MBA decided to appoint a judicial officer to monitor and document what was going on in the match between Senegal Vs Peru. They claim that Senegal is not fit to celebrate a trophy that has been withdrawn from them by CAF, they say it violates the CAF's clear decision of them returning the trophy and medals given to them. They intend to submit this to FIFA citing unsporting conduct and failure to respect official decisions. Well as for me, I like how Senegal os going with this and them not bowing to pressure from Morocco and CAF itself.

[Oluwa-btc]

You have this feeling that powerful countries like the US and Israel face fewer sanctions in sports. But that's not true! Sincerely I was waiting for this argumnet.

In the case of the sanction on Russia. Most European countries refused to play against Russia, as it was causing chaos, and teams were boycotting the competition because of it. This made FIFA and other football bodies act immediately. It was after other countries refused to play against Russia that the football federation acted. But as for Iran, Nigeria still chose to play against them. And other countries still do. The same thing goes for the United States.

I will look this up, but I ain't see nowhere where they was boycotted ( Russia).

I have nothing against Iran, all they're doing is as a result of self defence but the US and Israel?! Even Pep Guardiola has come out to criticize the Genocide. You football fans at least shouldn't be biased in the slightest ways but you choose to be that way. I can not force people to see a spade and call it shovel. It is the reason why I will always respect Pep Guardiola. He has the balls to call the Israel Genocide of Palestine and Gaza a Genocide.

[EL MOHA]

I will look this up, but I ain't see nowhere where they was boycotted ( Russia).

I have nothing against Iran, all they're doing is as a result of self defence but the US and Israel?! Even Pep Guardiola has come out to criticize the Genocide. You football fans at least shouldn't be biased in the slightest ways but you choose to be that way. I can not force people to see a spade and call it shovel. It is the reason why I will always respect Pep Guardiola. He has the balls to call the Israel Genocide of Palestine and Gaza a Genocide.

Russia was banned from footballing relations that I know and was for attacking Ukraine without clear cut reason.

US and Isreal actually did same thing to Iran in my perspective because you cannot actually carry out a military operation on a country without any evidence as there are reports that the attack was baseless because Iran wasn’t posing an imminent threat like Trump and Netanyahu had lied, so it was similar in the rule of law as what Russia did.

But due to injustice i didn’t see the same punishment also given to this two countries. For me it’s actually hypocritical and I support Iranian football federation for saying that they don’t want their games in the US. If this was the other way round I think Iran wouldn’t have been left free they would even have stripped them of hosting this World Cup

[IceLincoln]

Nigeria 2 - 1 Iran.
It is funny to see absurd talks here about Super Eagles replacing Iran then seeing them playing a friendly match weeks later. Of course this is a testing match, I wasn't aware of, I just saw the result and wonder if anyone here watched it. This result is not good for Iran ahead of the World Cup especially that I heard that they were forbidden from going or playing against enemy countries according to them.

Austria 5 - 1 Ghana
That's not a good result weeks before the World Cup. They literally were destroyed by Austrian.

Yeah it’s really a crazy story, after all the nonsensical rumours they played together.
Nigeria defeated Iran in the friendly but somehow Iran who have never won Nigeria in any games are higher than Nigeria in the FIFA Rankings.
Ghanaians are sad about that friendly whooping of ass by the Austrians, their fans wouldn’t be happy with that result but they’ll console themselves in that Nigeria isn’t going to the World Cup.

[Oluwa-btc]

If you could choose:

Right now, go live in Iran

Right now, go live in Israel

Right now, go live in the United States of America

Where would you live?

The only rule would be this: you would become a native citizen of that country and you would have to test protesting in the streets against the government only 5 times.

In which of these countries would you be burned for protesting? Did you see the number of deaths in the recent demonstrations in Iran carried out by the Iranian regime? Was it Israel and the United States that killed all those protesters?

Do you really think that if Iran hosted the World Cup, players from the United States would set foot in Iran and come out alive? But if Iran decided to play in the US in that World Cup, they would come out alive and safe. That's the big difference between terrorists and democracy, and I'm not talking about religion. Those in the Iranian government are mentally ill, they are terrorists, they are bloodthirsty. I feel sorry for the deaths of innocent people, but Iran has also killed many innocent people. If Israel and the United States don't stop the Iranian regime, the world will not be safe.

IRAN!!! I will love to learn from their Mathematicians and also their architects. It's obvious they're the only one named above fighting for humanity. Why would I go there protesting against their rules and regulations?! Why?! Why can't you go their and behave like they do until you're ready to leave?!

That was on Mossad and CIA who funded that as they tried to raise an insurrection within Tehran. It was even discussed on isreali channel how they funded that and pushed guns in to kill police men in iran. Look it up, you will see it on isreali TV. The same goes with using Elon Musk starlink to organise regime changes but they all failed woefully.

But it was Israel and united States who striked the elementary all girls school in iran right?!  Iran is not a threat to the world unlike American government and isreali, I mean, can you show me when they have attacked another country unprovoked?! Can we say the same for Us and Israel?! The Us is currently strangling, suffocating and making sure Cuba crumbles and the Genocide funded by Us executed by Israel in Gaza?! And if we're to talk about terrorist, we all know who funds terrorism around the world and organises regime changes on government rejecting the US.

Those in the US government are satanic pedophiles, eating babies and raping minors, the entire western world lives barbaric lifestyle, they've never been the good guys history will agree with me. No, the world needs an end from this western aggression and bullying and isreali?! Everyone who criticised Hitler can now see he wd never wrong about the Jews. Not even United States is winning the propaganda war like they usually do. Iran has exposed them all rounder.  More Us bases crushed to ashes in middle east, more willl follow.

[Barikui1]

"Geopolitics has nothing to do with sports"  laughable thing to write truthfully.

Two years of the Russia/Ukraine war and Russia are still banned from being involved in international football,  while two years of the Israel genocide in Palestine and Gaza has been overlooked. And why are they yet to banned the US who intentionally used nuclear weapons twice on the 176 elementary all girls school in Iran?! Fifa the footballing body has become a lot more political than most of you thoughts.

Take a look at the highlighted statement in your write up, is that a typo error or you actually meant that?
Because I can't remember any nuclear power using a nuclear weapon against any country in this twenty first century.

I agree with you that the attack on Iran is uncalled for and unjust, so the Same punishment meted out to Russia because they invaded Ukraine should also be issued out to the US and Israel, but because of politics, nothing is happening and no punishment was issued to them, but generally it doesn't ends well when politicians gets involved and start making footballing decisions, so I never buys the idea of even placing a ban on a nation because of the actions of these politicians.

[NotATether]

This is the only forum on the internet where you can turn a topic about AFCON into a Politics and Society topic.  

What's wrong with this Moroccans? Today, before the kickoff of that Senegal match Vs Peru, we saw how they entered the pitch with the AFCON trophy they won in Morocco against Morocco. That's a clear indication that they are holding unto it as the champions and are not willing to give it out as instructed by CAF. Morocco in their bid yo do what I don't really understand, their MBA decided to appoint a judicial officer to monitor and document what was going on in the match between Senegal Vs Peru. They claim that Senegal is not fit to celebrate a trophy that has been withdrawn from them by CAF, they say it violates the CAF's clear decision of them returning the trophy and medals given to them. They intend to submit this to FIFA citing unsporting conduct and failure to respect official decisions. Well as for me, I like how Senegal os going with this and them not bowing to pressure from Morocco and CAF itself.

CAS has to repeal the result made by CAF, otherwise, it would be absolute lunacy and set a dangerous precedent where a confederation can change the outcome of a tournament several weeks later.

I think Senegal are right to be proud with the trophy. They did win fair & square after all.

[Jostern]

Yesterday Senegal played a game, and they seems to be parading the AFCON Trophy around the pitch which seems like it was a very intentional act from them, and it makes them look ridiculous, because I absolutely don’t understand why you will be parading a trophy when the CAF have authorized them to return the trophy and that is  what they have refused to do it makes them look a very stupid and foolish set of players, because the Title have been taken away from them, now they’ve forgotten that they could be banned from competing in the AFCON for years, and that makes everything ridiculous, this single act makes them a terrible set of players who aren’t responsible and disgusting, they lack integrity and discipline.

[Stepstowealth]

Yesterday Senegal played a game, and they seems to be parading the AFCON Trophy around the pitch which seems like it was a very intentional act from them, and it makes them look ridiculous, because I absolutely don’t understand why you will be parading a trophy when the CAF have authorized them to return the trophy and that is  what they have refused to do it makes them look a very stupid and foolish set of players, because the Title have been taken away from them, now they’ve forgotten that they could be banned from competing in the AFCON for years, and that makes everything ridiculous, this single act makes them a terrible set of players who aren’t responsible and disgusting, they lack integrity and discipline.

Shift to the side!!!

The likes of you are the ones who go on to support the corruption of CAF, CAF deserve the embarrassment that Senegal is giving them because they put themselves there choosing to use politics to change the outcome of a game two months after. Senegal may not even be interested in playing in the AFCON after this. Did you hear of the rumor that they transferred the trophy to their military base to make it harder for CAF to colllect back. There will be consequences but they do not care.

[Tonimez]

I will look this up, but I ain't see nowhere where they was boycotted ( Russia).

I have nothing against Iran, all they're doing is as a result of self defence but the US and Israel?! Even Pep Guardiola has come out to criticize the Genocide. You football fans at least shouldn't be biased in the slightest ways but you choose to be that way. I can not force people to see a spade and call it shovel. It is the reason why I will always respect Pep Guardiola. He has the balls to call the Israel Genocide of Palestine and Gaza a Genocide.

Russia was banned from footballing relations that I know and was for attacking Ukraine without clear cut reason.

US and Isreal actually did same thing to Iran in my perspective because you cannot actually carry out a military operation on a country without any evidence as there are reports that the attack was baseless because Iran wasn’t posing an imminent threat like Trump and Netanyahu had lied, so it was similar in the rule of law as what Russia did.

But due to injustice i didn’t see the same punishment also given to this two countries. For me it’s actually hypocritical and I support Iranian football federation for saying that they don’t want their games in the US. If this was the other way round I think Iran wouldn’t have been left free they would even have stripped them of hosting this World Cup

The message was stated clearly by the US president. He said, that he can not allow the world biggest terror to possess a nuclear weapon. For me it clearly stated and even though I don't know how some of these things work, you may I don't know why US would strike directly even when they still haven't attempted using any of them. I believe that President Trump is trying to prevent what he thinks is a potentially inevitable threat. Iran has been known to terrorise their neighbours and has also threatened to unleash the nuclear weapons on the US and  the likes. This is a power game and it's political too. The world leaders know what they're doing. But how do we believe that they're doing all these to the detriment of the masses just for their selfish interests.

Russia attack on Ukraine is deemed selfish and arrogant since they're  also acting against NATO which US is also a driving force. We all know that the US believe they should control the world. Anyone against their goal, is declared a universal enemy but support them and no offense will be held against you.

[7juju]

Yesterday Senegal played a game, and they seems to be parading the AFCON Trophy around the pitch which seems like it was a very intentional act from them, and it makes them look ridiculous, because I absolutely don’t understand why you will be parading a trophy when the CAF have authorized them to return the trophy and that is  what they have refused to do it makes them look a very stupid and foolish set of players, because the Title have been taken away from them, now they’ve forgotten that they could be banned from competing in the AFCON for years, and that makes everything ridiculous, this single act makes them a terrible set of players who aren’t responsible and disgusting, they lack integrity and discipline.

Senegal did the right thing by parading their trophy they won on the field. Them parading the trophy doesn’t make them look stupid it was actually a protest against CAF officials letting them know that their decision didn’t sit well with them. Senegal can’t just return the trophy without exhausting all avenues available to them reverse the CAF ruling. Now they have gone to court of arbitration for sports. If the ruling go against them there, they will have no option than to return the trophy without further delay.

[Mayor of ogba]

Yesterday Senegal played a game, and they seems to be parading the AFCON Trophy around the pitch which seems like it was a very intentional act from them, and it makes them look ridiculous, because I absolutely don’t understand why you will be parading a trophy when the CAF have authorized them to return the trophy and that is  what they have refused to do it makes them look a very stupid and foolish set of players, because the Title have been taken away from them, now they’ve forgotten that they could be banned from competing in the AFCON for years, and that makes everything ridiculous, this single act makes them a terrible set of players who aren’t responsible and disgusting, they lack integrity and discipline.

Senegal intentionally parade the African Cup of Nations around the pitch before they kick-off their friendly match against Peru in France, and I am fully in support of what they did because they are showing a sign of no weakness, and the act doesn't make them look ridiculous because they are the rightful winners of the African Cup of Nations and they can decide what to do with the African Cup of Nations, and even though CAF have authorized Senegal to return the African Cup of Nations to Morocco, I am happy that Senegal has refused to hearken to CAF directive because they can't wake-up two months after the African Cup of Nations has ended and declared Morocco the winners of the African Cup of Nations.

[Lida93]

I can’t take African football seriously any more. It is a disgrace what they are trying to do to Senegal, it just totally shits on the whole rule of competitive, top level football. You can not keep any seriousness in AFCON if months after fairly winning it, you strip Senegal of their title, it’s outrageous.

Actually when such incidents that occur in the finals of the AFCON that put the game on hold happens in Europe, what is expected is for the football governing body to adjust its rules but in Africa it's an entirely different story. Is it compulsory that the host must win?!

How can you seek to strip the winners of their hard earned trophy and honour by trying to deprive the actual winners of the medals, such moves will further undermine African football thereby causing some African countries to boycott future footballing events in the continent.

[GiftedMAN]

Actually when such incidents that occur in the finals of the AFCON that put the game on hold happens in Europe, what is expected is for the football governing body to adjust its rules but in Africa it's an entirely different story. Is it compulsory that the host must win?!

How can you seek to strip the winners of their hard earned trophy and honour by trying to deprive the actual winners of the medals, such moves will further undermine African football thereby causing some African countries to boycott future footballing events in the continent.

I saw the CAF presidents statement about Senegal being fined and must return the trophy to Morocco or face more fines and I'm so disappointed such person is President of CAF. I hear people talk about how Morocco bribed CAF to favour them with their rules and make them winners, well that's their opinion cause it might not be true but when you see CAF's judgement you could conclude that they've been bribed my Morocco to make them winners as host.

[Lida93]

Actually when such incidents that occur in the finals of the AFCON that put the game on hold happens in Europe, what is expected is for the football governing body to adjust its rules but in Africa it's an entirely different story. Is it compulsory that the host must win?!

How can you seek to strip the winners of their hard earned trophy and honour by trying to deprive the actual winners of the medals, such moves will further undermine African football thereby causing some African countries to boycott future footballing events in the continent.

I saw the CAF presidents statement about Senegal being fined and must return the trophy to Morocco or face more fines and I'm so disappointed such person is President of CAF. I hear people talk about how Morocco bribed CAF to favour them with their rules and make them winners, well that's their opinion cause it might not be true but when you see CAF's judgement you could conclude that they've been bribed my Morocco to make them winners as host.

The attitude of CAF regarding this dispute between Senegal and who's the legitimate winners of the AFCON has proven how weak some African institutions have become and may be if not checked, and am beginning to think FIFA is part of this dilemma since they have refused to make any official statements concerning this drama bewildering African football, I expected Gianni Infantino to clear the air on this issue and up till this very moment we don't know FIFA's stance on the subject matter, this indicates double standards on the side of FIFA at this critical moment.

[Localhostspeed]

I am finding it difficult to understand what you wrote. Please, can you explain further? Where would Nigeria insult the country on Twitter? Nigeria is neutral in the war and the Super Eagles just played a friendly game.

You are active on X right? If you are, you will understand and grasp what I was saying. One of the active place where Nigerians vent their anger is X, anything related to the country, if it's not been discussed on X, I don't think there is any other social where it will be discuss unless it's fake.

I was saying if Nigeria is the affected country, Nigerians and influencers on X are going to drag them, you know us with Banters but instead they were using Iran defeat as jokes and tagging officials accounts just to get engagements and after 14 days they get paid by their engagements and likes.

The game was not popular because it was not televised by major stations. Friendly games are usually not viewed since they're not a major match. This win might increase Nigeria's FIFA ranking.

Yea, I'm aware of that but even if it's friendly match that is not shown by most channels. If it's a match that interested Nigerians to watch, they will get it and will talk about it. We have many online streaming platforms today, not everything is Supersport even though those platforms are not official but they are enjoyable.

[Marvelockg]

Ghanaians are sad about that friendly whooping of ass by the Austrians, their fans wouldn’t be happy with that result but they’ll console themselves in that Nigeria isn’t going to the World Cup.

It's just a friendly bro. I wouldn't engage Ghana in a banter just because Nigeria won and they didn't . Friendlies are opportunities to check things out in a team. Do a lot of trials and error hoping that when tournament that matters comes up afterwards, it's now easier to implement whatever strategy the team have tried out during the friendlies.

If not that some of our big guys are not around, I wound have been expecting a good friendlies with a very strong team that's not under the shores of African so we test how we're able to cope with teams that are by far better than us.

[snipie]

-snip-

I think the thread moved from its main subject to a pure political one. When talking about politics, there isn't an obvious response. Even in western countries, there are hidden sanctions to people protesting against something, from restriction to access to some services to a total ban. The main prosecutor of the international court had heavy sanctions although doing his job. Other examples from UN personal having sanctions just to stand against USA.
What has been done in Iran was not justified and if anything should be done, it should be done by courts. USA did atrocities against immigrants although leaving for several years and even decades in the USA.
What is taking place in the world right now is disgusting. There is no more international law that are been applied to every country. Double standards everywhere..
FIFA itself is implied on that. At least two western countries should have joined Russian on the ban.