Sani described the decision as “a dangerous precedent in African football”, adding that CAF “just want to reward Morocco for hosting and losing.”
By Kehinde Okeowo
Human rights activist and former federal lawmaker, Shehu Sani, has berated the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for stripping Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, arguing it was “daylight robbery”.
He made the remarks on Wednesday in a now-trending post shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) page.
CAF announced on Tuesday evening that Morocco are now the winners of the 2025 AFCON, despite the title being awarded to Senegal in January following the final.
The decision follows an appeal by the Moroccan FA (FRMF), which the African football governing body said was “declared admissible in form” and subsequently upheld.
According to CAF, its Appeal Board ruled in favour of Morocco, stating that Senegal forfeited the trophy when they walked off the pitch during the final.
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Consequently, Morocco were awarded a 3–0 walkover victory in compliance with Article 82 of CAF’s regulations.
Prior to this development, Senegal had beaten Morocco 1–0 in the final on 18 January, in a match overshadowed by the Senegalese players’ refusal to continue playing after the hosts were awarded a stoppage-time penalty while the match was goalless.
Following a delay of approximately 17 minutes, the players eventually returned; Brahim Diaz’s penalty was saved, and Senegal’s Pape Gueye later scored an extra-time winner.
Angered by the decision, Sani said Senegal won the match on the pitch, while the continental football body gave the trophy to hosts Morocco via the “boardroom”.
“Senegal won the AFCON on the pitch but it was snatched by CAF in the boardroom; that’s unconscionable and a dangerous precedent in African football,” Sani wrote.
He added, “The fact that the Senegalese team walked out in protest and returned to play until the final whistle doesn’t warrant this afterthought daylight robbery. They just want to reward Morocco for hosting and losing.”
