AFCON: 2025: Is There Precedent For CAF’s Verdict On Senegal’s Triumph?
Anybody writing a general studies examination today in Nigeria or any other African country may find themselves in a quandry if asked the question: Who’s the reigning football champions in Africa? Even the examiner may not fare better in providing answer to the question as simple as it seems or ought to be.
Until Tuesday, Africans and football lovers across the world thought the Terenga Lions of Senegal won the 2025 edition of AFCON fair and square. Senegal defeated the host nation, Morocco by a lone goal scored by Pape Gueye in the extra time. The match had ended nil-nil at the end of the 90-minute regulation time. Gueye broke the stalemate with a powerful strike from the edge of the box. Al-Nasir’s striker, Sadio Mane, began the move that led to the goal from the midfield.
Yes, Senegal won the tournament in January on the pitch. The entire West African country erupted in celebration. But it now appears Morocco has snatched the title from Senegal via litigation. Senegal’s triumph was “nullified” in a landmark decision on Tuesday. The CAF Appeals Board ruled that the Senegal national team had forfeited the AFCON final after several players walked off the pitch to their dressing room in protest of a referee’s decision.
According to the CAF board, Senegal had breached Articles 82 and 84 of AFCON regulations when they staged a walkout during the game. While the Senegalese Football Federation has said that it will not take the verdict lying down by vowing to “initiate an appeal as soon as possible before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne”. The question on the lips of my football lovers is this: Is there any precedent for the CAF’s verdict?
The answer is No!
FIFA and CAF have wielded the big stick in the past against many African countries including Nigeria.
Here are instances when the two football governing bodies descended so hard on African countries for violating its rules and regulations.
Kenya and Zimbabwe were banned by FIFA from participating in the 2023 AFCON qualifies due to the undue interference of the governments of both countries in their football federations. Sierra Leone was banned from the 2019 edition of AFCON for the same reason Kenya and Zimbabwe were banned.
Meanwhile, exactly three decades ago, Nigeria was handed a ban by FIFA too. The Flying Eagles had won the 1994 AFCON edition hosted by Tunisia. Two goals from Emmanuel Amuneke helped Nigeria to defeat the resilient Zambia who had just lost their first team, except Kalusha Bwalya, in a plane crash. Zambia drew the first blood in the third minutes through a powerful header by Elijah Litana. The game ended 2-1 in favour of Nigeria.
Nigeria, however, failed to defend their title in 1996. The ’96 edition was hosted by South Africa The military regime of the late General Sani Abacha had just executed Ken Saro Wiwa and the eight other Ogoni activists despite pleas from the United Nations and the then President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela. Abacha felt Nigerian players were not safe on the shores of South Africa considering the relationship between the governments of both nations.
Nigeria, was therefore banned by FIFA from participating in the 1998 AFCON which was hosted. by Burkina Faso.
