In over thirty years of covering African football, I’ve felt every emotion imaginable. I’ve cheered during breathtaking moments at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) and the World Cup. I’ve also felt frustration with mistakes made by its leaders and despair over whether they can truly uphold their responsibilities.
Recently, the Confederation of African Football (Caf) made a shocking decision. They stripped Senegal of the 2025 Afcon title and awarded it to Morocco. This has left many, including a former appeals committee member, utterly baffled. He pointed out that the committee should not have the authority to change a referee’s on-field decision, describing the ruling as disgraceful.
Caf executives were equally outraged. According to the laws of the game, a referee’s decision on match facts is final. Samir Sobha, an exco member from Mauritius, called the situation a “big joke.” He emphasized that correcting one mistake with another doesn’t make sense, either ethically or in sports.
This isn’t the first time Caf has faced criticism for a controversial decision. A notable incident was in May 2019 during the Caf Champions League final. Referee Bakary Gassama declared Espérance Tunis the winners after Wydad Casablanca players refused to continue playing over a disallowed goal. The match was declared abandoned for the first time in history, only for Caf to later order a replay. It took a decision from the Court of Arbitration for Sport to uphold the referee’s ruling, ultimately confirming Espérance as champions.
Fast forward to now, and Caf appears to be engulfed in more confusion. Once again, an appeal decision undermines the fundamental principle that a referee’s call is final, outside of video assistant referee (VAR) interventions.
Jean-Jacques Ndala Ngambo, the referee in the Afcon final, certainly had a tough game. He made questionable calls, denying Senegal a certain penalty and allowing the match to continue after Senegal protested for over fifteen minutes. However, once the game resumed, the outcome had to be determined on the field.
How this situation unfolds will significantly impact Patrice Motsepe’s presidency at Caf. The football community is still reeling from the postponed Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, which Motsepe promised would go ahead on time. His credibility is now on the line.
In terms of public reaction, social media has seen an outcry from fans and analysts alike. Many are calling for transparency and accountability, not just from Caf but within African football as a whole. It’s clear that the decisions made now will shape the future of the sport on the continent.
For a detailed look at similar issues in football governance, you can refer to reports from sources like FIFA or CAF’s official statements for updates.
