The CAF President, Patrice Motsepe, announced this Sunday in Cairo the expansion of the Africa Cup of Nations to 28 teams. He also addressed the dispute between Senegal and Morocco concerning the 2025 edition.
Several Moroccan internationals have sparked outrage online. They have approved photos of Senegalese players celebrating the [trophy of the Africa Cup](finale-senegal-maroc-ismail-jakobs-accuse-maroc-empoisonnement,119101.html) in Paris, a title officially awarded to Morocco by the Confederation of African Football.
The awarding of the Africa Cup of Nations to Morocco, two months after the final, is causing a shockwave in Senegal. This sporting decision, perceived as unfair in Dakar, now threatens to shake the fraternal ties that unite the two nations.
Following the CAF’s decision to award the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations victory to Morocco over Senegal, a comprehensive analysis of social media reveals that the Moroccan public has imposed its narrative online. This administrative triumph has quickly turned into a vast geopolitical and identity-based debate.
Minister and President of the Moroccan Football Federation, Fouzi Lekjaa has established himself as an indispensable figure in African football . This visionary is multiplying large-scale projects to propel Morocco to the top of world football.
Despite its resounding appeals to reclaim its African title, Senegal seems tacitly resigned. The presentation of its new jersey adorned with a single star sounds like an implicit admission of defeat before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Declared the winner of the Africa Cup of Nations on the field before being sanctioned on the green carpet in favor of Morocco, Senegal has seized the Court of Arbitration for Sport . However, its chances of success appear slim in the face of existing jurisprudence.
The decision to award the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations to Morocco on administrative grounds has caused bitterness. Former international Nordin Jbari harshly criticizes this outcome, believing that the country deserves a title won on the field and not on a green carpet.
The day after the CAF verdict awarding it the victory, the Moroccan federation expressed its satisfaction. The body believes that this decision guarantees strict compliance with the regulations and preserves the stability of international competitions.
The attribution of the Africa Cup of Nations to Morocco on a green carpet is causing a strong reaction. For former referee Eduardo Iturralde González, this historic decision sanctioning Senegal’s abandonment of the field is a strict application of the regulations.
Deprived of its continental "title" in favor of Morocco, the Senegalese Football Federation is fighting back. Considering the CAF’s decision unacceptable , the body announces an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to recover its trophy. The shockwave also reaches the bettors.
The Appeals Committee of the Confederation of African Football has ruled on the final of CAN 2025. Following the Moroccan appeal, the body has declared Senegal’s forfeit, thus validating a final 3-0 victory for Morocco.