Senegal’s captain, Sadio Mane, has sharply criticized the Confederation of African Football (CAF)’s decision to overturn the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 final result and award the title to Morocco. Mane warned that the ruling could “kill the passion of millions of fans.”
Mane’s reaction, shared via an Instagram post on Tuesday night, echoes the official stance of the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF).
The Controversial Final and CAF’s Ruling
The dispute stems from the final match in Rabat on Sunday, January 18, 2026, where Senegal initially defeated hosts Morocco 1-0.
However, in a Tuesday statement, CAF announced that its Appeal Board, citing Article 84 of the AFCON Regulations, had declared Senegal to have forfeited the game. This decision followed Senegal’s team walking off the pitch for 10 minutes during the match. The result was officially recorded as a 3-0 victory for Morocco.
Federation Vows Appeal
The Senegalese Football Federation immediately denounced the decision as “unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable,” stating it “discredits African football.” The FSF has vowed to file an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Mane’s Strong Words
In his personal reaction, Mane expressed deep dismay, saying, “What happened has gone too far. It is not the football we fight for, not the Africa we believe in.”
He directly addressed issues of integrity, asserting:
Related News
- “There is too much corruption in our game, and it kills the passion of millions of fans across the continent.”
- “The players give everything on the pitch, but decisions off it decide matches and trophies.”
Mane concluded by stating his disappointment was “not only for Senegal, but for African football as a whole,” demanding better: “We deserve better. The fans deserve fairness, transparency, and respect.”
