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- Shehu Sani has criticised CAF for awarding Morocco the 2025 AFCON title after ruling that Senegal forfeited the final.
- He described the decision as “unconscionable” and a “dangerous precedent.”
Shehu Sani, a former federal lawmaker, has voiced his disapproval of the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) recent controversial decision involving the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The governing body decided to revoke Senegal’s championship title and instead award it to Morocco.
This ruling came after CAF’s Appeal Board concluded that Senegal had forfeited the final match. The forfeiture was attributed to a brief walk-off by the Senegalese players during the game, a move that became the crux of the controversy.
The incident arose from a contentious penalty decision by the center referee in favor of Morocco. In a dramatic turn of events, the Senegalese team, seemingly backed by their coach, exited the field in protest. However, the team captain, Sadio Mane, convinced his teammates to return to the pitch shortly after.
Despite the upheaval, Morocco failed to capitalize on the penalty, and Senegal managed to secure a 1-0 victory on the field. Nevertheless, CAF’s later decision to label the walk-off as a forfeiture changed the outcome, granting Morocco a 3-0 win by default.
Despite the disruption, Morocco missed the penalty, and Senegal went on to win the match by a lone goal on the pitch. However, CAF later ruled the walk-off as a forfeiture, awarding Morocco a 3–0 walkover victory.
Reacting to the development, Sani condemned the decision in a post on X.
“Senegal won the AFCON on the pitch but was snatched by CAF in the Boardroom; that’s unconscionable and a dangerous precedent in African football,” he wrote.
He further argued, “The fact that the Senegalese team walked out in protest and returned to play till the final whistle doesn’t warrant this afterthought daylight robbery. They just want to reward Morocco for hosting and losing.”