Former Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Ahmad Ahmad has reacted to the decision to withdraw the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title from Senegal and award it to Morocco, offering a measured response while declining to pass judgment on the matter.
CAF decision and its implications
CAF’s Appeals Committee ruled that the Senegalese national team should be considered to have lost the final of the 2025 tournament, invoking Article 84 of the competition’s regulations. As a result, the match was officially recorded as a 3-0 victory in favour of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, confirming Morocco as champions.
The ruling represents a significant administrative intervention in the outcome of the tournament, shifting the title away from Senegal and formalising Morocco’s status as winners.
Ahmad’s reaction
Speaking exclusively to Kora Plus, Ahmad Ahmad refrained from offering a detailed assessment of the decision or the processes behind it. Instead, he emphasised the responsibility of leadership within football governance.
“I have no comment on that, as every president is responsible for managing his own affairs.”
His remarks suggest a deliberate effort to avoid direct criticism or endorsement of the current CAF administration’s actions.
Reference to current leadership
Ahmad also addressed the role of CAF’s current president, Patrice Motsepe, but made clear that he would not speculate on decisions taken under his leadership.
“I don’t know, I don’t have any concrete evidence to judge him, nor can I put myself in his place”
The former CAF chief’s comments underline a cautious stance, indicating that without clear evidence, he would not engage in public evaluation of the situation or the individuals involved.
Limited engagement with the final
Ahmad further revealed that his ability to comment was restricted by personal circumstances at the time of the final.
“You need concrete evidence to talk about it, and I was still undergoing surgery, I didn’t even watch the final.”
This admission reinforces his position that any informed judgment would require direct observation and verifiable details, neither of which he had at the time.
Broader context
The Appeals Committee’s decision has drawn attention across African football, given its impact on the tournament’s outcome and the reputations of the teams involved. While CAF has acted within its regulatory framework, the controversy surrounding the ruling continues to generate discussion among stakeholders.
Ahmad Ahmad’s restrained response reflects a broader reluctance among some football figures to comment definitively on the matter without full access to evidence or insight into the decision-making process.
Conclusion
As the situation settles, Morocco’s status as 2025 Africa Cup of Nations champions stands confirmed by CAF’s ruling. Meanwhile, Ahmad Ahmad’s remarks highlight the complexities of football governance, where decisions at the highest level often attract scrutiny but do not always elicit immediate or unanimous reactions from former leaders.
