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

[Unsoldier]

The scandal over Senegal’s title continues to gain momentum.

The Guinean Football Federation has called on CAF to review the results of the 1976 Africa Cup of Nations. Guinea stated that similar disciplinary standards should be applied to earlier games in cases where teams left the pitch during play.
The Guinean Football Federation referred to the decisive 1976 clash between Morocco and Guinea, when the competition was held as a four-team round-robin. In the final game, Morocco needed a draw, while Guinea needed a victory to claim the trophy. Guinea took the lead in the 33rd minute thanks to a goal by Cherif Souleymane. After that, the Moroccan players left the pitch for 10-15 minutes to protest the referee's decision, but later returned to continue the match. Ahmed Makrouh equalized in the 86th minute, and the match eventually ended in a 1-1 draw.
Morocco finished top of the group with five points and were crowned winners, while Guinea finished in second place.

https://www.beinsports.com/en-us/soccer/africa-cup-of-nations/articles/guinea-demands-caf-return-the-1976-afcon-title-after-morocco-controversy-2026-03-20

[Ndabagi01]

~

This is really even getting more serious. CAF may have regretted their actions by now after claiming that the trophy be given to the Moroccan team after Senegal was crowned the winners of the AFCON in Rabat, Morocco. Those moments can never be taken away from them and the Moroccan teams will not feel the joy in them in winning it after be crowned second place that night. The board that sat to review this would thought they’ve done justice but those they’re fighting for will not even feel appreciated by that gesture from them because they can’t take away the moments from the Senegalese players but only the trophy.

[Callido]

The question is who are those people that the realistic nature of the wining does not sit well on? I'm sure it was only Morocco and CAF that didn't see that it was a genuinely win, so actually the bribe @Promocodeudo pointed could make someone abuse the power they have. So @Stepstowealth i no that you are giving the CAF a benefit of doubt in convincing people of not how they are seeing this decision to be an act of something they achieved from the decision but however even if there was no bribery or any offer to them, everybody would always say the same thing because they have offended the public by their pronouncement.

Influence doesn't necessary mean taking bribe, it can be as an agreement or relationship. The punishment of withdrawing the trophy from Senegal after how long is not a good judgement, now Guinea are calling on CAF to review the previous 1976 Africa Cup of Nations where similar stuff happened, up on till now, CAF are still silent.

The correct judgement should have been payment of fine and some match ban, or any other disciplinary measure, not going back for the trophy, it looks like a planned agenda, already we saw how Morocco was pushed in order for them to win the AFCON, while it failed, this becomes the only way for them to recover the trophy.

[Stepstowealth]

The scandal over Senegal’s title continues to gain momentum.

The Guinean Football Federation has called on CAF to review the results of the 1976 Africa Cup of Nations. Guinea stated that similar disciplinary standards should be applied to earlier games in cases where teams left the pitch during play.
The Guinean Football Federation referred to the decisive 1976 clash between Morocco and Guinea, when the competition was held as a four-team round-robin. In the final game, Morocco needed a draw, while Guinea needed a victory to claim the trophy. Guinea took the lead in the 33rd minute thanks to a goal by Cherif Souleymane. After that, the Moroccan players left the pitch for 10-15 minutes to protest the referee's decision, but later returned to continue the match. Ahmed Makrouh equalized in the 86th minute, and the match eventually ended in a 1-1 draw.
Morocco finished top of the group with five points and were crowned winners, while Guinea finished in second place.

https://www.beinsports.com/en-us/soccer/africa-cup-of-nations/articles/guinea-demands-caf-return-the-1976-afcon-title-after-morocco-controversy-2026-03-20

If there was already a similar case of something happening like this before and Morocco the country that is now favored, should have been punished long ago but escaped punishment, then the same judgment should be able to be applied now considering that what is good for the goose is also good for the gander. I now think it is very unfair for CAF to want to choose a different action without reviewing how they have treated similar cases before. Senegal should get a fairer judgement.

[snipie]

The scandal over Senegal’s title continues to gain momentum.

The Guinean Football Federation has called on CAF to review the results of the 1976 Africa Cup of Nations. Guinea stated that similar disciplinary standards should be applied to earlier games in cases where teams left the pitch during play.

That moment when top Moroccan football influencer in CAF read this and remember that time
I don't know what happened in the past in CAF but definitely officials will find an excuse for that incident (double standards) by saying that Guinea didn't ask CAF at that time to reverse the results or maybe laws changed between then and now or whatever reasons they could find even if they spend a fortune for legal advices. I believe CAF should stop ruining football in Africa and FIFA should stop covering their rigged circle there.

[Agbe]

Lol 😆, the part where you said information reaching me somehow cracked me up because this particular information you are talking about is everywhere on the Internet and there is no concrete proof is hakimi himself actually said but it would be the right thing to do since every footballer is actually honored when the trophy 🏆 is given to them on the pitch and the football fans celebrate it with them on the pitch.

When two or more Medias give a particular News then it becomes authentic. Yes we are all seen it from online and news channels, the way in CAF verdict. There is no honour for receiving such award. Are you also aware that Morocco has not won AFCON without issue? The one they won in 1976 Africa Cup of Nations has been petition by Guinea Republic to reserve the trophy because Morocco also stage walkout from the pitch before returning back to the field and play. This are all information in the internet and the Media broadcasting. CAF has started what they can't end. Nigeria with law is 5/6. Nigeria will not play AFCON but they will qualify lolz 🤣 🤣🤣. They will even drag the CAF president to court. CAF only quotes article 82 and 84 but the article for the referee is missing.

[Mayor of ogba]

I don’t agree with CAF’s decision but moving the trophy to a military base is wild if you ask me lol. It’s all a joke and I don’t blame Senegal for making a fool of CAF as they should. CAF is likely going to sanction them if they don’t return the trophy. If Nigeria were in Senegal’s shoes, it would have been way dramatic than what it is now.

CAF have all the power to declare Morocco the winners of the African Cup of Nations when Senegal players walked out of the field and nobody would have questioned CAF's decision or judgement because there's a rule that states that if a team walk out of the field when the referee haven't end a match, the team will automatically lose the match by 3-0. So since CAF waited two months after the African Cup of Nations has ended to implement the rule against Senegal, Senegal did the right thing to move the trophy to their military base.

[Webutxo]

CAF have all the power to declare Morocco the winners of the African Cup of Nations when Senegal players walked out of the field and nobody would have questioned CAF's decision or judgement because there's a rule that states that if a team walk out of the field when the referee haven't end a match, the team will automatically lose the match by 3-0. So since CAF waited two months after the African Cup of Nations has ended to implement the rule against Senegal, Senegal did the right thing to move the trophy to their military base.

Calm down, you think it's only CAF that has that rule? It's all over in most football league, we have witnessed plenty of such games and this kind of Afcon altitude were not displayed. If not Afcon board members are very unfortunate and are very useless, why not make the decisions all these while. They went silent and did some deliberations and not like it was a quick one, they did it after 20 month plus when Afcon was presented to Senegal.

What did Afcon would have Senegal do when they were clearly cheated and the ref was trying so hard to make Morocco to win the Afcon. Everything that happens in the Afons is a shame, what they was bad and that's why even the Morocco players were not happy about the outcome Afcon decision on Senegal to return the trophy. Next time, they better do good initiatives so the referees can do a better job and avoid any form ofcl bribing and corruption.

[Sexylizzy2813]

I don’t agree with CAF’s decision but moving the trophy to a military base is wild if you ask me lol. It’s all a joke and I don’t blame Senegal for making a fool of CAF as they should. CAF is likely going to sanction them if they don’t return the trophy. If Nigeria were in Senegal’s shoes, it would have been way dramatic than what it is now.

CAF have all the power to declare Morocco the winners of the African Cup of Nations when Senegal players walked out of the field and nobody would have questioned CAF's decision or judgement because there's a rule that states that if a team walk out of the field when the referee haven't end a match, the team will automatically lose the match by 3-0. So since CAF waited two months after the African Cup of Nations has ended to implement the rule against Senegal, Senegal did the right thing to move the trophy to their military base.

@Mayor you are right but remember that not all the players that walked out of the pitch on that faithful day, all went off but Mane was still standing on the pitch calling them to come back and continue the game... honestly I was really angry for him to stay back but yet again the whole went in their favor and they won. We all know how it happened, they played against a full country and the officials, the ref murdered football completely so if they should take any decisions it should have been that same night which they did and went on with the penalty and it doesn't matter if Diaz intentionally missed it or not but the bottom line is that the game continued and it happened that Senegal won with a more better goal than the one that should have given Morocco the title...CAF messed up big time, the corruption is just too much.

[Youngrebel]

I don’t agree with CAF’s decision but moving the trophy to a military base is wild if you ask me lol. It’s all a joke and I don’t blame Senegal for making a fool of CAF as they should. CAF is likely going to sanction them if they don’t return the trophy. If Nigeria were in Senegal’s shoes, it would have been way dramatic than what it is now.

CAF have all the power to declare Morocco the winners of the African Cup of Nations when Senegal players walked out of the field and nobody would have questioned CAF's decision or judgement because there's a rule that states that if a team walk out of the field when the referee haven't end a match, the team will automatically lose the match by 3-0. So since CAF waited two months after the African Cup of Nations has ended to implement the rule against Senegal, Senegal did the right thing to move the trophy to their military base.

Senegal president said, he moved the trophy there for security reasons. Because as it is, CAF is trying to force them to return the trophy which is wrong as well because Senegal has appealed and CAF too have to wait for the next CAS appeal by Senegal. And when the appeal says, Senegal should return the trophy then they would willingly return the trophy for now let CAF too wait because their official caused the whole thing to this extent. And watching the replayed of the Match, everything was like a prearranged plan of CAF, officials and Morocco.

[Berry2d]

I don’t agree with CAF’s decision but moving the trophy to a military base is wild if you ask me lol. It’s all a joke and I don’t blame Senegal for making a fool of CAF as they should. CAF is likely going to sanction them if they don’t return the trophy. If Nigeria were in Senegal’s shoes, it would have been way dramatic than what it is now.

CAF have all the power to declare Morocco the winners of the African Cup of Nations when Senegal players walked out of the field and nobody would have questioned CAF's decision or judgement because there's a rule that states that if a team walk out of the field when the referee haven't end a match, the team will automatically lose the match by 3-0. So since CAF waited two months after the African Cup of Nations has ended to implement the rule against Senegal, Senegal did the right thing to move the trophy to their military base.

So you will openly come out here to tell me that CAF has all the right to take all decision even if the decision was wrong,  why didn't they take such decision on that day of the final if they no there action was right. What of the controversial decision made by the referee that lead to that incident,  tell me the truth was that decision a fair one.
It is the right time we call a spade a spade and not fabricate another name just to prove a point in Africa,  when we know Africa is not the only continent playing football. Since the origin of football have you since such decision in other continent, why then will that of Africa be like that.

[SatoPrincess]

I don’t agree with CAF’s decision but moving the trophy to a military base is wild if you ask me lol. It’s all a joke and I don’t blame Senegal for making a fool of CAF as they should. CAF is likely going to sanction them if they don’t return the trophy. If Nigeria were in Senegal’s shoes, it would have been way dramatic than what it is now.

CAF have all the power to declare Morocco the winners of the African Cup of Nations when Senegal players walked out of the field and nobody would have questioned CAF's decision or judgement because there's a rule that states that if a team walk out of the field when the referee haven't end a match, the team will automatically lose the match by 3-0. So since CAF waited two months after the African Cup of Nations has ended to implement the rule against Senegal, Senegal did the right thing to move the trophy to their military base.

You don’t understand, according to the rules the referee has to call the match a forfeit and award the victory to Morocco but that didn’t happen. If Morocco had petitioned the ref on the spot to call the forfeit on the spot, it would have been an entirely different case and we would not be having this discussion.

[EL MOHA]

CAF have all the power to declare Morocco the winners of the African Cup of Nations when Senegal players walked out of the field and nobody would have questioned CAF's decision or judgement because there's a rule that states that if a team walk out of the field when the referee haven't end a match, the team will automatically lose the match by 3-0. So since CAF waited two months after the African Cup of Nations has ended to implement the rule against Senegal, Senegal did the right thing to move the trophy to their military base.

You don’t understand, according to the rules the referee has to call the match a forfeit and award the victory to Morocco but that didn’t happen. If Morocco had petitioned the ref on the spot to call the forfeit on the spot, it would have been an entirely different case and we would not be having this discussion.

This is exactly what the first African Balon D’or winner George Weah actually explained in on his page that I read and he even cited the rule 10 on FIFA rules and it’s exactly the fact that football are played and won on the pitch and not in court. So them leaving the field of play means the referee would have to actually ended the match for that to be called forfeiture of the match but the play resumed on the officiating of the Referee and the he later ended the match declaring the Senegalese the champions and referees command are final. So it’s a foolish decision by the CAF Which have made them disgrace the continental football once again.

A perfect example is the walk over, this is done when the opponent do not show up the referee has to kick start the match and then end it with the whistle as a sign of them going home with all three points, they cannot sit at home because the opponent might have decided not to come, them coming to the pitch means that football is won the pitch not anywhere else

[DiMarxist]

From the beginning of this drama that was started by CAF in their decision to revoke the title from Senegal and award it to Morocco over night, CAF has taken African football to the mud and at this point Most Nations will not take the Afcon seriously gain. What is playing out is not different from the reality on ground when it comes to Africa especially our election were the will of the masses will be over ruled by court. At this moment I don't know what CAF will do to salvage the situation because what they are failing to realize and recognize us the fact that the Afcon has started to lose it appeal and followership. We should not be surprised if we don't see much crowds and even in terms of profit generation that may come from the next edition of the competition.

[Mayor of ogba]

I don’t agree with CAF’s decision but moving the trophy to a military base is wild if you ask me lol. It’s all a joke and I don’t blame Senegal for making a fool of CAF as they should. CAF is likely going to sanction them if they don’t return the trophy. If Nigeria were in Senegal’s shoes, it would have been way dramatic than what it is now.

CAF have all the power to declare Morocco the winners of the African Cup of Nations when Senegal players walked out of the field and nobody would have questioned CAF's decision or judgement because there's a rule that states that if a team walk out of the field when the referee haven't end a match, the team will automatically lose the match by 3-0. So since CAF waited two months after the African Cup of Nations has ended to implement the rule against Senegal, Senegal did the right thing to move the trophy to their military base.

You don’t understand, according to the rules the referee has to call the match a forfeit and award the victory to Morocco but that didn’t happen. If Morocco had petitioned the ref on the spot to call the forfeit on the spot, it would have been an entirely different case and we would not be having this discussion.

There's no difference in what I said in my post and what you said in your post because it's all about either CAF calling the referee to order to declare Morocco the winners of the African Cup of Nations when the Senegal players walked out of the field or the referee immediately end the African Cup of Nations final when the Senegal players walked out of the field and declared Morocco the winners of the final.

[OsaiEmma]

A lot of us keep on referencing the 1976 incident. We should all know one thing, during that time there was no laws or guidelines made to check such actions in football, most especially none made by CAF, so we can't hold that incident as a yardstick in evaluating and judging this recent one. In this article, the writer explained briefly what transpired and why CAF came to such decision. According to the article However, there is a regulatory basis to argue that the match could have been ended before Brahim took the penalty due to Senegal’s threat to abandon the game. Article 82 of the Africa Cup of Nations regulations states that if a team refuses to play or leaves the field before the end of regulation time without the referee’s authorization, it will be considered the loser and eliminated from the competition. Article 84 complements this provision, stating that any team that violates Articles 82 or 83 will be permanently eliminated and will lose the match 3-0, unless the opponent already had a more favorable result at the time of the interruption, in which case that score will stand. Additionally, the Organizing Committee may take further measures as it deems necessary. So whatsoever decisions they made was by the book and not by history. Honestly, I am not in support of the decision, but I must say, they are right to make that decision and not overlook it, I mean that's what the law was made for. I know there might be some arguments that, Mane was still on the field, it is not a complete abandonment of the game but rather a disruption, and they returned immediately too, but the Senegalese coach clearly asked his players to leave the game, threatening abandonment, so CAF have every right to come to that decision. The main issue here is the horrible officiating, organizations, and conduct of CAF, clearly showing favoritism to host nation. Anyways, Senegal has made it clear that they will go for an Appeal on the matter, I know they can bring up a lot of points to say they didn't really abandon the game, because they returned and continued. Anyway, I'm just curious as to what the appeal outcome will be.

[BitBakerr1]

I don’t agree with CAF’s decision but moving the trophy to a military base is wild if you ask me lol. It’s all a joke and I don’t blame Senegal for making a fool of CAF as they should. CAF is likely going to sanction them if they don’t return the trophy. If Nigeria were in Senegal’s shoes, it would have been way dramatic than what it is now.

CAF have all the power to declare Morocco the winners of the African Cup of Nations when Senegal players walked out of the field and nobody would have questioned CAF's decision or judgement because there's a rule that states that if a team walk out of the field when the referee haven't end a match, the team will automatically lose the match by 3-0. So since CAF waited two months after the African Cup of Nations has ended to implement the rule against Senegal, Senegal did the right thing to move the trophy to their military base.

You don’t understand, according to the rules the referee has to call the match a forfeit and award the victory to Morocco but that didn’t happen. If Morocco had petitioned the ref on the spot to call the forfeit on the spot, it would have been an entirely different case and we would not be having this discussion.

If you really watched the African cup of nations you will understand that the officials was bribed and were doing everything possible to make sure that Morocco will win the African cup of nations, so this is another way for them to give the African cup of nation to Morocco, it’s a shame to Morocco how can you win a cup from this way, It is not deserving at all and if i were to be Moroccan i will reject the trophy immediately because this is a big disgrace to them. This decision has made a mockery to the African football. I don’t understand what they really wanted to achieve in doing this. I’m disappointed at the people that made the decision. They are so foolish that they did not even think about the effect of this in the future.

[SatoPrincess]

it’s a shame to Morocco how can you win a cup from this way, It is not deserving at all and if i were to be Moroccan i will reject the trophy immediately because this is a big disgrace to them.

From what I can see on the internet, many Moroccans are very happy with CAF’s decision and who can blame them. To be fair, wasn’t the NFF pushing a petition against DR Congo some months and some Nigerians were in full support of the move?

[Fiatless]

From what I can see on the internet, many Moroccans are very happy with CAF’s decision and who can blame them. To be fair, wasn’t the NFF pushing a petition against DR Congo some months and some Nigerians were in full support of the move?

The Captain of Morocco national football team, Achraf Hakimi, has rejected the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations 2025 title, insisting Morocco did not deserve it after defeat.

The Paris Saint-Germain defender said neither he nor teammates should accept the trophy, regardless of any decision by the Confederation of African Football.

Achraf Hakimi rejected the trophy and is also encouraging other players to do the same. His reaction would anger many Moroccans because I also saw some vidoe where they were celebrating. I saw some fans waving the Morrocan nation flag and sitting on car windows while the car was moving.

Hakimi deserves some respect because his action is extraordinary.

https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2026/03/21/hakimi-rejects-afcon-title-backs-senegals-victory-despite-caf-ruling/ 

[Mayor of ogba]

If you really watched the African cup of nations you will understand that the officials was bribed and were doing everything possible to make sure that Morocco will win the African cup of nations, so this is another way for them to give the African cup of nation to Morocco, it’s a shame to Morocco how can you win a cup from this way, It is not deserving at all and if i were to be Moroccan i will reject the trophy immediately because this is a big disgrace to them. This decision has made a mockery to the African football. I don’t understand what they really wanted to achieve in doing this. I’m disappointed at the people that made the decision. They are so foolish that they did not even think about the effect of this in the future.

I watched the African cup of Nations and I saw how the officials were doing everything possible for Morocco to lift their second African Cup vof nations but Senegal didn't allow their plans to materialize or came into light, and since Morocco got a second chance to win the African Cup of Nations, you shouldn't expect Moroccans to reject the trophy if Senegal agree to return the trophy to them because they desperately want to win the African Cup of Nations by all means since staying for 50 years without winning it.