Decision to strip Senegal of Afcon title has left me gobsmacked – and others in Africa furious

2026-03-18 - 12:59

The ruling of the Caf appeals committee is against the laws of the game and casts another shadow over Motsepe’s stewardship as president In more than three decades of reporting on African football, I have gone through the entire gamut of emotions: exhilaration – over some of the continent’s great moments at the Africa Cups of Nations and World Cups; frustration – over the errors its governors make – and deep despair, as one wonders whether its custodians will ever live up to their responsibilities and do their jobs diligently. The decision on Tuesday, by the appeals committee of the Confederation of African Football (Caf), to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) title and hand it to Morocco, leaves me gobsmacked, as it did a former member of the appeals committee. “As a person who was on the appeals board for six years I know that it does not have the power to change the on-field decision of a referee. I cannot understand how they came to this disgraceful decision,” he said. Continue reading...