Edouard Mendy has strongly criticized the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following the decision to strip Senegal national football team of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title.
Speaking after Senegal’s match against Peru, Mendy did not hold back in his assessment of CAF’s handling of the situation, which saw the Appeals Jury award the title to Morocco national football team two months after the final.
“In CAF, we’re used to it—unfortunately,” Mendy said. “We have an organisation that is lagging behind the pace of football.”
The goalkeeper went further, suggesting the decision reflects deeper structural issues within African football’s governing body.
“People talk about winners and losers, but for me, the only losers are football and Africa,” he added. “And the only one to blame is CAF.”
The controversy surrounding the AFCON 2025 final has sparked widespread debate across the continent, with questions raised over governance, transparency and decision-making processes.
Mendy echoed those concerns, arguing that African football itself is progressing faster than the institutions that oversee it.
“African football as a whole is moving ahead faster than its institutions,” he said. “African football deserves better leadership.”
His remarks come at a time of heightened tension within CAF, with recent developments—including legal threats, disputed ceremonies and misinformation—adding to the uncertainty surrounding the title decision.
Senegal have already taken formal steps to challenge the ruling, filing an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport in a bid to have the decision overturned.
The outcome of that appeal could prove decisive in determining the final resolution of one of the most contentious episodes in recent African football history.
Mendy’s intervention adds to the growing list of voices calling for reform within CAF, as pressure mounts on the organisation to restore confidence and credibility.
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