AFCON 2025: "CAF bodies include some of the most respected lawyers of the continent" (P. Motsepe, CAF)

"If you look at the composition of those (CAF) bodies, they include some of the most respected lawyers and judges on the continent. But we will still have to deal with perceptions issues and concerns about integrity. It is an ongoing issue," said Patrice Motsepe, president of the Confédération Africaine de Football, on 18/03/2026.

The South African spoke following the CAF appeal board decision, in application of Article 84 of AFCON regulations, to declare the Senegalese national team forfeit in the final of the competition, therefore awarding victory to Morocco (with the result of the match being recorded as 3-0).

This decision came 58 days after the incidents that occurred during the Senegal-Morocco match (1-0 after extra time) in the AFCON final. At the end of the match, Senegal contested two decisions made by the referee, Jean-Jacques Ngambo Ndala of the Democratic Republic of the Congo: a disallowed goal for Senegal (without VAR intervention, 90+2) and a penalty given to Morocco moments later (after VAR review, 90+8).

Finding this decision particularly unfair, the Senegalese…