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

[SatoPrincess]

The Moroccans and their mentality are too retarded. I dont know why a team in the 22nd century will still think people use Voodoo to play football, and why is it always the black-skinned Africans they accuse of those things?

I don't know if you are aware that Morocco is number one in sorcery in North Africa and Middle East, if not also West Africa. They are maybe among the top ten in the world in this stuff. So yeah they do believe a lot on these things and they do practice it widely in their country.
Voodoo is known to be practiced by some tribes and is of African origin. It was used on stadium and I am not aware if people doing it are kicked or punished by authorities... The guys there are doing weird things to see their team winning the match but they failed.

Thanks for sharing. I never knew Morocco was so big on voodoo practices. I read a post here sometime ago that a voodoo priest was arrested for failing to make the national team win despite the money given to him by the government. I don’t believe that voodoo works in football, I mean if it did work, African countries would have been dominating the World Cup.

[Finebone]

Thanks for sharing. I never knew Morocco was so big on voodoo practices. read a post here sometime ago that a voodoo was arrested for failing to make the national team win despite the money given to him by the government. I don’t believe that voodoo works in football, I mean if it did work, African countries would have been dominating the World Cup.

Anyone that thinks that voodoo works in football is still living in the sixties, because we have seen how football have evolved in recent times where a team will be very dominant to the extent where the other teams that rely on voodoo to win may not even get the chance to even take a shot at their opponent goal, so I wonder how they will score in a state like that, or do such people still watching the legendary movie "shaolin soccer"?
It's only those that have watched that movie will understand what am talking about, because the movie is just too crazy 

[IceLincoln]

We have a lot of big countries that have more influence than Morocco in football, and Morocco can't influence FIFA to dance to their tone if they successfully co-host the FIFA World Cup in 2030, so it is easy for Morocco to plan the FIFA World Cup in 2030 the way they planned the 2025 African Cup of Nations.

One thing I learnt during the AFCON is that FIFA representatives were there during the semi-finals down to the finals, which I know after overseeing everything that happened over there, they wont allow such to happen in the FIFA World Cup.

Yesterday, I managed to watch the CAF Champions League, only for me to see that the same pattern of taking a towel from the goalkeeper happened there. It seems it all started from there, and CAF has not done anything to stop that nonsense.

This matter of the AFCON is been talked about a lot but not by the proper bodies to discuss it and not in the way it should be. I don’t know how the FIFA & CAF executives can be present and see the rubbish that happened in the finals from the semis and still keep shut.
Instead the foolish president of the CAF referee committee is talking about how the towel kept by the goalkeepers are impeding the football, why not talk about what business the ball boys and a footballer including a CAF best player have to be going after a goalkeeper’s towel. Or even why his referees were so bad in games regarding Morocco.

[Accardo]

Anyone that thinks that voodoo works in football is still living in the sixties, because we have seen how football have evolved in recent times where a team will be very dominant to the extent where the other teams that rely on voodoo to win may not even get the chance to even take a shot at their opponent goal, so I wonder how they will score in a state like that, or do such people still watching the legendary movie "shaolin soccer"?
It's only those that have watched that movie will understand what am talking about, because the movie is just too crazy  

The CAF and Afcon story is getting very intense and funny at same time, Morocco made other teams to compete with political powers, which was the top deciders of the competition, the system has been rigged, it has nothing with voodoo that's not close to what happened. The right solution to this challenge is for CAF to implement a working system that allows rotational match day operations ranging from securities, ball boys, and referees to be independently free from the host nation.

Take a look at what the ball boys did during the Nigerian match with Morocco, had they not come from the host nation it wouldn't have happened. They need a system that'll welcome officials from different nations not just citizens of the host country.

[Mayor of ogba]

One thing I learnt during the AFCON is that FIFA representatives were there during the semi-finals down to the finals, which I know after overseeing everything that happened over there, they wont allow such to happen in the FIFA World Cup.

Yesterday, I managed to watch the CAF Champions League, only for me to see that the same pattern of taking a towel from the goalkeeper happened there. It seems it all started from there, and CAF has not done anything to stop that nonsense.

There can be some countries FIFA can favor to win the World Cup, but Morocco isn't one of those countries, so Morocco doesn't have what it takes to bend the referee that will officiate in the World Cup to favor them. For CAF not to condemn, fine, and sanction Morocco for taking Mendy's and Nwabali's towel in the African Cup of Nations is the reason why such scenario happened in the CAF Champions League, because the home team that took the towel of the goalkeeper of the away team knows that CAF won't fine and sanction them for that.

[Zigabel]

Anyone that thinks that voodoo works in football is still living in the sixties, because we have seen how football have evolved in recent times where a team will be very dominant to the extent where the other teams that rely on voodoo to win may not even get the chance to even take a shot at their opponent goal, so I wonder how they will score in a state like that, or do such people still watching the legendary movie "shaolin soccer"?
It's only those that have watched that movie will understand what am talking about, because the movie is just too crazy 

This is your opinion and it is just fine to say you do not agree that voodoo does work in football, I will not support that neither will I discard it completely because sometimes because we have not had an experience with something we may want to say such does not exist, I even remember I came across some persons sometimes ago who doesn't believe there is a God Almighty, I will not write them off completely because they have there reasons, so except on the basis of experience I will not agree or refute the fact.

To the best of my knowledge and experience, voodoo gat some psychological effects on some persons and because it's what they practice, as their culture and tradition, you cannot tell them otherwise about it, because to them it is just what they know and have believed all their lives.

[Roseline492]

In all of these happenings another major is the fact that a few  Senegalies fan where held captive or detained by the Moroccans in Morocco.  Was that really necessary? Have they even been released? The last time when I checked the Senegalese MP was going to Morocco to release them. From this particular act of the Moroccans, CAF supposed to sections Morocco but they are not doing anything to the Moroccans misbehaviour instead, they are trying all their might to section Senegalese.

Have you confirmed what they did before they got detained by the Morocco?, no country would detained without seeing you committing an offense, so is necessary if he was caught with something but not necessary if he did nothing. I just got to no about the detained of Senegalese from you, was it from the pitch they detained him or it was after the match outside of the Moroccan stadium?. Things to investigate is getting wide for the CAF because if after Senegal free them and come to no that they were innocent citizens who became a victim because of anger that they lost, Senegal would also contact CAF for it so that they would have justice for them.

[Mate2237]

We all saw what happened in the stadium that day in the finals were there was a clash between the Moroccan and the Senegalese fans. I don't think that those fans has been ever released because the last news I heard about those fans which were detained was the president of Senegal directing their embassy in Morocco to use the democratic means to release those fans I have not confirmed yet if they have been released.


But this is just beyond football, these types of actions taken by Morocco only goes to show how desperate that they were in their bid to win the Trophy this is not in line with the spirit of sports. They should not forget that they took will travel for tournaments in other nations if this type of treatment is meted to them they should not complain.

[Fiatless]

Have you confirmed what they did before they got detained by the Morocco?, no country would detained without seeing you committing an offense, so is necessary if he was caught with something but not necessary if he did nothing. I just got to no about the detained of Senegalese from you, was it from the pitch they detained him or it was after the match outside of the Moroccan stadium?. Things to investigate is getting wide for the CAF because if after Senegal free them and come to no that they were innocent citizens who became a victim because of anger that they lost, Senegal would also contact CAF for it so that they would have justice for them.

These fans were arrested during the match when there was a violent confrontation between Moroccan fans and the supporters of the current champions. Their trials have been adjourned to January 29th, and there are reports that the Prime Minister of Senegal have travelled to Morocco to secure the release of these fans. I hope they are treated well in detention because Moroccans might transfer their anger to these fans. Hoping that these fans will be released very soon.

https://saharareporters.com/2026/01/24/afcon-crisis-senegalese-prime-minister-heads-morocco-over-detention-fans-authorities 

[Callido]

Thanks for sharing. I never knew Morocco was so big on voodoo practices. read a post here sometime ago that a voodoo was arrested for failing to make the national team win despite the money given to him by the government. I don’t believe that voodoo works in football, I mean if it did work, African countries would have been dominating the World Cup.

In the whole of Africa, West African countries are the top ten in such practice, but this isn't worth bragging about though  

Maybe voodoo does work, that is why Morocco was snatching keeper towels, they might have thought we had stuff going on.

It is also about belief, football is supposed to be a fair sport, such practices won't work.

[Richbased]

I just saw on Gistlover blog that CAF has placed severe sanctions on Senegal and Morocco. According to the information, the Senegal coach has be banned for five CAF matches and he is to pay a fine of $100,000. Senegal Football Association has been levied about $615k for the misconduct of their staffs, players and supporters. As for Morocco, Achraf Hakimi has been suspended for two matches then the Morocco Football Association was fined $315k almost half of the fine given to the Senegal FA. These are really outrageous amount but do you think that the fine given to Senegal is fair? for me i already knew that Senegal will get the higher fine because of the fact that the coach ordered the players to leave the pitch and they did, that's really a great offense which can attract a severe sanction.

[letteredhub]

The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) Disciplinary Board imposed sanctions on the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) and certain players and officials for the incidents during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Final, which violated the CAF Disciplinary Code.

At last, CAF has released official statement outlining the sanctions metted on Senegal and Morocco due to their actions during the AFCON final, an event which spark many controversial opinions and questions about the game and it's organisation.

On one hand, I think CAF also have to do better and not always waiting to be reactive in awarding sanctions after the worse has happened. What happened in the AFCON finals wouldn't have occurred if CAF had taken action to correct the errors in the previous games of the quarter and semi finals it would have helped retain the confidence of the people about the credibility of the whole officiating process, and wouldn't have gone to the extreme of what we saw in the finals.
That being said, you can take a look at the sanctions given to the two countries and share your view about it

[Nightwatchmare]

Thanks for sharing. I never knew Morocco was so big on voodoo practices. read a post here sometime ago that a voodoo was arrested for failing to make the national team win despite the money given to him by the government. I don’t believe that voodoo works in football, I mean if it did work, African countries would have been dominating the World Cup.

Anyone that thinks that voodoo works in football is still living in the sixties, because we have seen how football have evolved in recent times where a team will be very dominant to the extent where the other teams that rely on voodoo to win may not even get the chance to even take a shot at their opponent goal, so I wonder how they will score in a state like that, or do such people still watching the legendary movie "shaolin soccer"?
It's only those that have watched that movie will understand what am talking about, because the movie is just too crazy 

I used to believe voodoo did not work in football because if voodoo worked in football, African countries would have won the world cup, but after i saw a post in this thread about Mali government arresting a native doctor who did fake voodoo for them so they could win the Afcon tournament, it seems voodoo works in football to a certain point because Mali government would not have paid a native doctor $30k for voodoo if voodoo had not helped Mali in football. Maybe since we are not acquainted with the ways of the spirit, that is why we are finding it hard to believe that voodoo works in football.

[Solodoski]

In all of these happenings another major is the fact that a few  Senegalies fan where held captive or detained by the Moroccans in Morocco.  Was that really necessary? Have they even been released? The last time when I checked the Senegalese MP was going to Morocco to release them. From this particular act of the Moroccans, CAF supposed to sections Morocco but they are not doing anything to the Moroccans misbehaviour instead, they are trying all their might to section Senegalese.

Have you confirmed what they did before they got detained by the Morocco?, no country would detained without seeing you committing an offense, so is necessary if he was caught with something but not necessary if he did nothing. I just got to no about the detained of Senegalese from you, was it from the pitch they detained him or it was after the match outside of the Moroccan stadium?. Things to investigate is getting wide for the CAF because if after Senegal free them and come to no that they were innocent citizens who became a victim because of anger that they lost, Senegal would also contact CAF for it so that they would have justice for them.

They must have said something or must have done something that warrant the Morocco securities to detain them. Fans are too emotional, after winning the AFCON, i knew the Senegalese fans will start saying sort of words to the Moroccans, like calling them cheaters, which can trigger conflict or fight. But fans need to be careful, they should be aware they are not in their country, rather in another man's land. They can put themselves in danger with the attitude they pull up. I dont advise anyone, not midning how passionate you are, to say things to opposite fans who are at home ground. Situations like this, mostly turns out bad.

[Youngrebel]

CAF update on the 2025 Final.

Is this really fair for Senegal? The fine for the national level is too high for Senegal. The Referee was the caused of all these things happened on the pitch and not the fault of the Senegalese. If the Referee was doing well, things would have ended well. The present CAF staff is not capable of leading the organization.

🚨 CAF has finally issued sanctions following the 2025 AFCON final chaos.

🇲🇦 Morocco
Morocco’s appeal to be declared AFCON champions has been rejected
Morocco Football Federation (FRMF)
Fines:
$200K – stadium ball boys’ misconduct
$100K – players/staff invading RRA
$15K – fans’ use of lasers
Total: $315,000

Suspensions:
Achraf Hakimi – 2 CAF matches (1 suspended for 1 year)
Ismaël Saibari – 3 CAF matches + $100K fine

🇸🇳 Senegal Football Federation (FSF)
Fines:
$300K – supporters’ improper conduct
$300K – players/staff unsporting behaviour & bringing the game into disrepute
$15K – five yellow card infractions in the final
Total: $615,000

Suspensions:
Coach Pape Thiaw – 5 CAF matches + $100K fine
Players Iliman Ndiaye & Ismaila Sarr – 2 CAF matches each
Credit:AV

Source: Social Media. And you can also browse it foe more information on CAF Disciplinary Board imposes sanctions on the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF)

[CryptSafe]

snip

From the investigations, it could be deduced that Senegal got a higher fine than morrocco and it made me more curious as to what really transpired during the investigation process. I am happy they won the cup after all the brouhaha they faced from their opponent, because this fine would have been void if it had happened the other way round. What I could say here is that CAF just wants to take back the money they had issued to the winners indirectly under the pretense of a fine because there is no way they can reverse or call for a rematch or tell them to return the cup because they had already won it, so there is nothing anybody can do about it.

[Nightwatchmare]

In all of these happenings another major is the fact that a few  Senegalies fan where held captive or detained by the Moroccans in Morocco.  Was that really necessary? Have they even been released? The last time when I checked the Senegalese MP was going to Morocco to release them. From this particular act of the Moroccans, CAF supposed to sections Morocco but they are not doing anything to the Moroccans misbehaviour instead, they are trying all their might to section Senegalese.

Have you confirmed what they did before they got detained by the Morocco?, no country would detained without seeing you committing an offense, so is necessary if he was caught with something but not necessary if he did nothing. I just got to no about the detained of Senegalese from you, was it from the pitch they detained him or it was after the match outside of the Moroccan stadium?. Things to investigate is getting wide for the CAF because if after Senegal free them and come to no that they were innocent citizens who became a victim because of anger that they lost, Senegal would also contact CAF for it so that they would have justice for them.

I think those Senegal fans that were detained by Morocco must have done something wrong that made Morocco to take such move because Morocco does not have any right to detain any fan that did not break any law or commit an offense. Me i saw the news of Morocco detaining some Senegal players on facebook, and i believe they were arrested for their misconduct in the Afcon finals, so the arrest happened in the stadium. I heard Senegal government will send someone to negotiate with Morocco so that the detained Senegal fans will be released.

[Roseline492]

CAF update on the 2025 Final.

Is this really fair for Senegal? The fine for the national level is too high for Senegal. The Referee was the caused of all these things happened on the pitch and not the fault of the Senegalese. If the Referee was doing well, things would have ended well. The present CAF staff is not capable of leading the organization.

🚨 CAF has finally issued sanctions following the 2025 AFCON final chaos.

🇲🇦 Morocco
Morocco’s appeal to be declared AFCON champions has been rejected
Morocco Football Federation (FRMF)
Fines:
$200K – stadium ball boys’ misconduct
$100K – players/staff invading RRA
$15K – fans’ use of lasers
Total: $315,000

Suspensions:
Achraf Hakimi – 2 CAF matches (1 suspended for 1 year)
Ismaël Saibari – 3 CAF matches + $100K fine

🇸🇳 Senegal Football Federation (FSF)
Fines:
$300K – supporters’ improper conduct
$300K – players/staff unsporting behaviour & bringing the game into disrepute
$15K – five yellow card infractions in the final
Total: $615,000

Suspensions:
Coach Pape Thiaw – 5 CAF matches + $100K fine
Players Iliman Ndiaye & Ismaila Sarr – 2 CAF matches each
Credit:AV

Source: Social Media. And you can also browse it foe more information on CAF Disciplinary Board imposes sanctions on the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF)

The fines are too much for the two countries, Senegal fines are $300k higher than the total amount they fines Morocco, for the players in suspension of Morocco I'm surprised there was Hakimi on those suspension because I thought he didn't do anything to obstruct the match, after the 2 matches he is to be suspended what happened again on the year I'm seeing in bracket, is it an additional year of suspension to him?, I suspected that they will give them fine as they didn't give referee chance when he was doing the review of the goal because Moroccans was all over him. actually if they're the ones that wanted this investigation they will not be happy for causing more injury to themselves.

[Rruchi man]

snip

From the investigations, it could be deduced that Senegal got a higher fine than morrocco and it made me more curious as to what really transpired during the investigation process.

It is understandable that the Senegalese team got a higher fine because their players actually reacted a whole lot and the coach lost himself in the situation. I think whatever financial punishment that has been deemed okay for them to pay is good, as long as they have not lost the title.

It would have been a terrible image for African football had the Senegalese players all left the field and refused to play.

I'm surprised there was Hakimi on those suspension because I thought he didn't do anything to obstruct the match,

Did you not see the video of him tossing away the towel of the Senegalese goalkeeper?

[Baki202]

One thing I learnt during the AFCON is that FIFA representatives were there during the semi-finals down to the finals, which I know after overseeing everything that happened over there, they wont allow such to happen in the FIFA World Cup.

Yesterday, I managed to watch the CAF Champions League, only for me to see that the same pattern of taking a towel from the goalkeeper happened there. It seems it all started from there, and CAF has not done anything to stop that nonsense.

There can be some countries FIFA can favor to win the World Cup, but Morocco isn't one of those countries, so Morocco doesn't have what it takes to bend the referee that will officiate in the World Cup to favor them. For CAF not to condemn, fine, and sanction Morocco for taking Mendy's and Nwabali's towel in the African Cup of Nations is the reason why such scenario happened in the CAF Champions League, because the home team that took the towel of the goalkeeper of the away team knows that CAF won't fine and sanction them for that.

the only thing i noticed in this period is that it seems they wanted the host country to win, but it wont be that easy because it is something you have to work for and Morocco did everything but the once's that are not right just to win the league, and CAF knew about everything that played out and since they were not sanctioned, especially the referees, and they need to make correction of things like this because next time don't be surprised to see the same thing playing out because a lot of things were not corrected and you will never seen things like this happening in the world cup but it was tolerated by even the football body and they should talk about this so it does not repeat it self.