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

[Mr Reporter]

According to the statement of the Senegalese coach, he said that even though they had lost the game after they returned into the pitch, the walking out was meant to send a strong message across to caf that African football is not used to robbery of this magnitude, and that they wouldn't accept it by stay silent, hoping to complain after they have lost the trophy, so it was a protest that is worth it.
The Moroccans may have file a complaint or do what ever they wishes afterwards, but it can never change the fact that Senegal are the recognized champions regardless of the final decision of caf.

It's true that the Officiating in the AFCON was obvious they are siding Morocco because not just one country complained but almost all countries that played against Morocco. It's very unfair and I the stunt they pulled in all their games against opposition goalkeepers made everything worse. If not that they over did it nobody will blame them this way rather they will pour it all on the referees for being biased. The Senegal coach reacting that way and telling the players to leave the pitch is so unprofessional and saying it's a way of sending message to CAF is wrong, if you want to send message to CAF are better ways you can do that instead of asking the players to leave the pitch like it's a local street competition.

Smiles like I knew something like this was going to happen anytime soon well I feel next season such tash such not be even allow in the AFCON next season….now this is why they ready said Africa is really a completely a place of corrupt place to even hold such games….it even looks like anything that goes wrong would now be tuned out to the referees and it likely not making any sense at all well in a matter of next time thing like this such be considered anytime soon because having to see such tash is painful…

[Churchillvv]

Smiles like I knew something like this was going to happen anytime soon well I feel next season such tash such not be even allow in the AFCON next season….now this is why they ready said Africa is really a completely a place of corrupt place to even hold such games….it even looks like anything that goes wrong would now be tuned out to the referees and it likely not making any sense at all well in a matter of next time thing like this such be considered anytime soon because having to see such tash is painful…

Well things happen everywhere but on this AFCON it was too disturbing how people complained about one team but the truth remains that the referees used in the game are not up to the standards of the game, AFCON is not longer a small game that people overlook it’s now a uniting sport for all blacks and Africa itself so whatever is done in the AFCON is officially a center of attention so it needs more standard officiating.

[Mayor of ogba]

Smiles like I knew something like this was going to happen anytime soon well I feel next season such tash such not be even allow in the AFCON next season….now this is why they ready said Africa is really a completely a place of corrupt place to even hold such games….it even looks like anything that goes wrong would now be tuned out to the referees and it likely not making any sense at all well in a matter of next time thing like this such be considered anytime soon because having to see such tash is painful…

Well things happen everywhere but on this AFCON it was too disturbing how people complained about one team but the truth remains that the referees used in the game are not up to the standards of the game, AFCON is not longer a small game that people overlook it’s now a uniting sport for all blacks and Africa itself so whatever is done in the AFCON is officially a center of attention so it needs more standard officiating.

The referee used in the final is up to standard; the problem the referee had was that he was influenced to blow in favor of Morocco so that it would be easy for Morocco to win the African Cup of Nations. CAF should make sure the bad officiating that happened in the African Cup of Nations that was held in Morocco doesn't repeat itself in the upcoming African Cup of Nations so that African countries will always be in unity.

[Uhwuchukwu53]

I believe all the happened in the past AFCON is to strengthen the CAF and restrict them from some kind of favouritism even if it happened elsewhere, they should also practice their own with high level of technicality just as others do not too obvious as people witness on the past AFCON. Secondly it's a call for improvement, I am not ignorant of how people complain once the expectations does work out the way they planned it, referee bear, and coach bear blame but there some cases that too obvious like that of AFCON final even before they qualify to the final many complain has been table which are been seen ball boys snatching towel and distracting keeper throwing object all this act need to have strong sanctions by CAF because it may repeat itself if no strong sanctions because people stand on the basses that Morocco did it if it happened that another nation is entitled to Host just as they did which may damage AFCON image.

[Roseline492]

I feel next season such tash such not be even allow in the AFCON next season….now this is why they ready said Africa is really a completely a place of corrupt place to even hold such games….it even looks like anything that goes wrong would now be tuned out to the referees and it likely not making any sense at all well in a matter of next time thing like this such be considered anytime soon because having to see such tash is painful…

Is it when the next tournament would be held or you mean next season in terms of year?, from two years to come that's when we should be expecting another AFCON. Africa is the right place for any kind of tournament there is no region that would claim a saint because they also have corrupted people but however the way we take our sports is just the difference because based on what we are use to believing we blamed a lot of things when it does not favour us and sometimes officials are also the reason for circumstances that surrounds some  infamous names calling to a country and also to our only tournament that units the Africans.

[Mr Reporter]

Smiles like I knew something like this was going to happen anytime soon well I feel next season such tash such not be even allow in the AFCON next season….now this is why they ready said Africa is really a completely a place of corrupt place to even hold such games….it even looks like anything that goes wrong would now be tuned out to the referees and it likely not making any sense at all well in a matter of next time thing like this such be considered anytime soon because having to see such tash is painful…

Well things happen everywhere but on this AFCON it was too disturbing how people complained about one team but the truth remains that the referees used in the game are not up to the standards of the game, AFCON is not longer a small game that people overlook it’s now a uniting sport for all blacks and Africa itself so whatever is done in the AFCON is officially a center of attention so it needs more standard officiating.

Sir are you even serious on this that the referees are not even qualified or have not passed due process to become an referee well if that is what you mean by that i feel you are correct, i dont even understand why this referees are not been questioned after every match or game that was been played, their sould be head accountable for their actions any time they feel foul play in the game, just hoping to see a better outcome the next two year or so that the AFCON has really upgraded, and not all those tash game they have be setting up i feel next time a better experience oriented organizaters…

[Stepstowealth]

Is it when the next tournament would be held or you mean next season in terms of year?, from two years to come that's when we should be expecting another AFCON.

The next African Cup of Nations will be held 2027 and it will be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda which is something that will be the first of its kind, the competition jointly hosted by three countries in east Africa. Notice the similarity with the world cup?

After that competition, CAF will change the format of the competition from 2028 to being held every four years instead of the two we already know it to be.

[DiMarxist]

Is it when the next tournament would be held or you mean next season in terms of year?, from two years to come that's when we should be expecting another AFCON.

The next African Cup of Nations will be held 2027 and it will be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda which is something that will be the first of its kind, the competition jointly hosted by three countries in east Africa. Notice the similarity with the world cup?

After that competition, CAF will change the format of the competition from 2028 to being held every four years instead of the two we already know it to be.

Let see how the things will turn out to be in the next edition of the African cup of Nations as three nations will be Co hosting the event. I just pray that we don't see the type of host that we saw in the just concluded edition of the nations cup were everything was about winning and this lead to the almost bringing the tournament to a disrepute in the finals. About the tournament changing format to every four years am not a fan of that for God's sake we are Africans and must not always copy others changing the format of this tournament which used to be every two years is going to affect the glamour that fans were used to every before now.

[Callido]

The referee used in the final is up to standard; the problem the referee had was that he was influenced to blow in favor of Morocco so that it would be easy for Morocco to win the African Cup of Nations. CAF should make sure the bad officiating that happened in the African Cup of Nations that was held in Morocco doesn't repeat itself in the upcoming African Cup of Nations so that African countries will always be in unity.

I know there is really no continent things like this happen, but what Morocco did was very clear that it was planned before each game, the VAR and referred connived in whatever pattern they chose to follow, in similar case, the host country is usually the favorite, they set things up to work for them, I'm just happy it didn't go well with them. I believe, in the next AFCON, we won't experience such, including the biased officiating.

[Churchillvv]

Smiles like I knew something like this was going to happen anytime soon well I feel next season such tash such not be even allow in the AFCON next season….now this is why they ready said Africa is really a completely a place of corrupt place to even hold such games….it even looks like anything that goes wrong would now be tuned out to the referees and it likely not making any sense at all well in a matter of next time thing like this such be considered anytime soon because having to see such tash is painful…

Well things happen everywhere but on this AFCON it was too disturbing how people complained about one team but the truth remains that the referees used in the game are not up to the standards of the game, AFCON is not longer a small game that people overlook it’s now a uniting sport for all blacks and Africa itself so whatever is done in the AFCON is officially a center of attention so it needs more standard officiating.

Sir are you even serious on this that the referees are not even qualified or have not passed due process to become an referee well if that is what you mean by that i feel you are correct, i dont even understand why this referees are not been questioned after every match or game that was been played, their sould be head accountable for their actions any time they feel foul play in the game, just hoping to see a better outcome the next two year or so that the AFCON has really upgraded, and not all those tash game they have be setting up i feel next time a better experience oriented organizaters…

Perhaps audiences which the AFCON usually get before hand has on a high level increased to an extent that low budget referees or low league referees are not supposed to judge outcomes of any whistle blown. There are some events that occurred in the Afcon that was not reviewed and such things are not supposed to happen with the large audience that the league of competition has got,  having know this better experience is expected next Afcon but for me even if people had complained the who time what will happen would have still happened but next time avoiding angry mob will be the only thing that will change the settings of Afcon.

[Felicity_Tide]

I am wondering on which basis Morocco won the fair play award. A team that is well known for all forms of cunning strategy. They bully players and adopt deceptive tendencies to win games. The match officials were influenced to help them win games. This is the beauty of sports games like soccer; games cannot be totally influenced. Another factor was that Senegal had a good team, which was why the game was hard to influence.   

I haven't really followed up with CAF and whatever ban or fine that they were planning to impose on those at fault in the tournament. The only thing I can remember as far as  the tournament is concerned is that the Senegal coach was ban_{(not sure of the exact number of games/months/years)}. Well, from what I have seen, I hate to say this, but it's obvious that politics is now fully part of our supposed greatest tournament (AFCON). Every single weird attitudes, from the officiating, to how players conducted themselves, made it felt like there wasn't going to be any consequences, and it seems there wasn't any.

I honestly don't expect improvement from the coming AFCON because there won't be any. I see no reason why they're (CAF) trying to make themselves the deciders of the game, when they can just openly give out the trophy to whoever they like.

[Donneski]

Is it when the next tournament would be held or you mean next season in terms of year?, from two years to come that's when we should be expecting another AFCON.

The next African Cup of Nations will be held 2027 and it will be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda which is something that will be the first of its kind, the competition jointly hosted by three countries in east Africa. Notice the similarity with the world cup?

After that competition, CAF will change the format of the competition from 2028 to being held every four years instead of the two we already know it to be.

Those are the three core East African countries. Since I started following up with African football, I've never heard that Tanzania, Kenya or Uganda have ever hosted the CAF African Cup Of Nations so I think combining the three nations os a way of giving them the opportunity to play host to the entire continent. I'll be very interested in seeing how the three nations makes it a memorable tournament for everyone.

[EL MOHA]

Perhaps audiences which the AFCON usually get before hand has on a high level increased to an extent that low budget referees or low league referees are not supposed to judge outcomes of any whistle blown. There are some events that occurred in the Afcon that was not reviewed and such things are not supposed to happen with the large audience that the league of competition has got,  having know this better experience is expected next Afcon but for me even if people had complained the who time what will happen would have still happened but next time avoiding angry mob will be the only thing that will change the settings of Afcon.

This AFCON had a very controversial refereeing issues throughout this but this doesn’t actually gives the impression that we are that so bad as people paint it to be or as some very biased people like Jamie Carragher are claiming saying that European referees should be employed going forward like we haven’t seen how bad they officiate too or if this is the first time that African referees are actually officiating their own tournament. I could recall the previous AFCON before this one which was the one at Ivory Coast was actually branded one of the most best officiated tournaments then why are we actually been dimmed not good enough after one bad tournament.

Is this the only competition that we have se this happening. Has everyone forgotten that even the World Cup had many controversies like this which is yet to be resolved why isn’t the referees there not declared not qualified after that, for me I think we should simply address the poor officiating and punish culprits if any thing is found but we shouldn’t belittle our referees entirely that they aren’t good enough

[Marykeller]

Smiles like I knew something like this was going to happen anytime soon well I feel next season such tash such not be even allow in the AFCON next season….now this is why they ready said Africa is really a completely a place of corrupt place to even hold such games….it even looks like anything that goes wrong would now be tuned out to the referees and it likely not making any sense at all well in a matter of next time thing like this such be considered anytime soon because having to see such tash is painful…

Well things happen everywhere but on this AFCON it was too disturbing how people complained about one team but the truth remains that the referees used in the game are not up to the standards of the game, AFCON is not longer a small game that people overlook it’s now a uniting sport for all blacks and Africa itself so whatever is done in the AFCON is officially a center of attention so it needs more standard officiating.

I once mentioned that the way our African referees officiate African matches makes it difficult for them to be called upon to officiate in world-class matches, as they may be biased and bought off by the teams willing to pay them.

Morocco as the host of AFCON made it obvious that Africa referee are bought to blow in their favor. Look at the character they Morocco players and fans are displaying on Mendy's (Senegal goalkeeper) towel, just because he uses the towel to clean the heat from his face, and hands

[Stepstowealth]

Is it when the next tournament would be held or you mean next season in terms of year?, from two years to come that's when we should be expecting another AFCON.

The next African Cup of Nations will be held 2027 and it will be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda which is something that will be the first of its kind, the competition jointly hosted by three countries in east Africa. Notice the similarity with the world cup?

After that competition, CAF will change the format of the competition from 2028 to being held every four years instead of the two we already know it to be.

Those are the three core East African countries. Since I started following up with African football, I've never heard that Tanzania, Kenya or Uganda have ever hosted the CAF African Cup Of Nations so I think combining the three nations os a way of giving them the opportunity to play host to the entire continent. I'll be very interested in seeing how the three nations makes it a memorable tournament for everyone.

I think the idea behind CAF allowing three east african countries is so that they can all bear the cost together because the burden of hosting such a competition may be too much for one of those countries to carry. Also hosting such a competition will give these countries maximum exposure not just to order Africans who would want to visit them for the purpose of watching the competition but to other Europeans who will be watching the competition and following up with it. Morocco have set a really good standard, those countries need to be able to match it and even do better.

[Nightwatchmare]

It's true that the Officiating in the AFCON was obvious they are siding Morocco because not just one country complained but almost all countries that played against Morocco. It's very unfair and I the stunt they pulled in all their games against opposition goalkeepers made everything worse. If not that they over did it nobody will blame them this way rather they will pour it all on the referees for being biased. The Senegal coach reacting that way and telling the players to leave the pitch is so unprofessional and saying it's a way of sending message to CAF is wrong, if you want to send message to CAF are better ways you can do that instead of asking the players to leave the pitch like it's a local street competition.

If am not wrong, this year afcon is the most scandalous afcon ever. No afcon that i have watched that is this obvious that caf wanted the host nation to win it, so why is it that Moroccan own are different.
 I have come to understand something in this life that bad or corrupt people are having more of their way easily in most organizations or society because people that should be saying something or doing something are staying silent because they just don't want to be seen as the bad guy, they prefer playing it safe. The Senegalese coach might be seen as the villain in the eyes of caf, but he is a national hero to the Senegalese, and they would have wave his complaint away or the whole world wouldn't be talking about it if he didn't react that way. And yes, his actions was unprofessional, but it's worth it, because desperate times needs desperate measures.

It is clear that this year Afcon tournament in Morocco is the disgraceful Afcon tournament i have watched in my entire life. I think the Afcon tournament in Morocco was completely different from the Afcon tournaments we have watched because CAF wanted Morocco to win the Afcon tournament. Rich people get away with things easily in Africa, so i am not surprised with CAF keeping quiet with the Morocco nonsensical behaviors in the Afcon tournament. Even though the Senegal coach is now seen as someone that could have destroyed African football, the Senegal coach did the right thing by asking Senegal players to leave the field of play in the mid-game of the final because without that, Morocco would have won the Afcon tournament, and Fifa and CAF would not condemn Morocco's nonsensical behaviors in the Afcon tournament.

[Roseline492]

Is it when the next tournament would be held or you mean next season in terms of year?, from two years to come that's when we should be expecting another AFCON.

The next African Cup of Nations will be held 2027 and it will be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda which is something that will be the first of its kind, the competition jointly hosted by three countries in east Africa. Notice the similarity with the world cup?

After that competition, CAF will change the format of the competition from 2028 to being held every four years instead of the two we already know it to be.

Those are the three core East African countries. Since I started following up with African football, I've never heard that Tanzania, Kenya or Uganda have ever hosted the CAF African Cup Of Nations so I think combining the three nations os a way of giving them the opportunity to play host to the entire continent. I'll be very interested in seeing how the three nations makes it a memorable tournament for everyone.

Not only in hosting but also sports, Kenya is like a country with poor football history because even in the AFCON you could be hearing so many countries but hard to hear about them, or do they not play AFCON?, between the three hosting countries Uganda and Tanzania are the ones I no about there sports because I remember the two on the same group with super eagles that helps with the first position of them but Kenya is what I don't see them encounter. As it has been rare for three countries in one hosting that is actually how we are going to see a rare kind of good AFCON season on that tournament and one of the best fair competition.

[Adbitco]

I just saw an article that Morocco have filed a complaint to FIFA over Senegal walk-out during the final. According to FIFA rules, the penalty is a 3 nil forfeit. What do you think will happen, and would you think it’s fair if FIFA awards the trophy to Morocco because referee bias or not, Senegal was wrong to walk off the pitch.

FIFA will not do anything other than to place a fine on the Senegalese team that's the major thing they can do or probably ban files players for some games but as for the finals, it's been played and won by Senegal and there's nothing anybody can do about it. Let's imagine for a second that Morocco won the final after that penalty, what would CAF and FIFA have done, absolutely nothing. The final has been played and won no matter how lengthy your petition compliant is, the reality on ground is that it's finished until next edition. I heard some Moroccan fans asking for a replay of the match starting from when the penalty was given. I just laughed, seemed like those fans are high on cheap weed because how dare you make such a request and where have they seen or heard that a match was replayed in modern times.

[Sim_card]

I just saw an article that Morocco have filed a complaint to FIFA over Senegal walk-out during the final. According to FIFA rules, the penalty is a 3 nil forfeit. What do you think will happen, and would you think it’s fair if FIFA awards the trophy to Morocco because referee bias or not, Senegal was wrong to walk off the pitch.

Nothing to worry about. Senegal are the rightful winners that's gone and forgotten. If they file a complain, they should also consider that them the Moroccans wanted to rob Senegal off their victory. FIFA is aware of all these and wouldn't do anything than to put a fine on Senegal just like what Adbitco said. Morocco are worried over spill milk.

[Localhostspeed]

Well things happen everywhere but on this AFCON it was too disturbing how people complained about one team but the truth remains that the referees used in the game are not up to the standards of the game, AFCON is not longer a small game that people overlook it’s now a uniting sport for all blacks and Africa itself so whatever is done in the AFCON is officially a center of attention so it needs more standard officiating.

Everywhere has been silent since the last Afcon, not fifa made a remarkable comments about the event, not Afcon president says anything and yet many Morocco fans were terrorizing other fans that came from other countries. They were showing high level of racism as if they were not African. They were openly saying it that they are not black and are not Africans, this was who they wanted them to win the Afcon but I'm glad they failed including the coach that try to manipulate the game.

My dream now is I want to see Nigerian host this Afcon so the world can see the better view of us as Nigeria but I want to see improvement in our stadium. Many of them are not upto standard to host any international match and we want to compete with other countries. If we develop our stadium and increase our standards, I'm very sure that what Morocco did will not repeat itself again. It's the same fifa allocation they get that we also get, we can do better.