By Ghazali Ibrahim
Al-Nassr and Senegal forward Sadio Mane has criticized the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following its controversial decision to overturn the result of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final.
CAF’s Appeal Board on Tuesday ruled that Senegal forfeited the final after abandoning the pitch during a chaotic match in January.
The decision nullified the original outcome and awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory, officially declaring them the new African champions.
The ruling has effectively rewritten the tournament’s history, sparking widespread debate across the football community.
Reacting to the development, Mane expressed his frustration in a statement shared on Instagram, accusing football authorities of allowing corruption to influence major decisions.
“What has happened here goes too far. This is not the football we fight for, nor the Africa we believe in,” Mane said.
He further lamented the impact of such decisions on fans and players alike, insisting that off-field rulings are increasingly overshadowing performances on the pitch.
“There is too much corruption in our sport, and that is killing the passion of millions of fans across the continent. The players give their all on the pitch, but decisions off the pitch determine the outcome of matches and titles,” he added.
The CAF verdict continues to generate reactions, with many stakeholders questioning the implications for fairness and integrity in African football.
