Former Football Kenya Federation president Sam Nyamweya has criticised the Confederation of African Football for its decision to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title, describing the ruling as flawed and unjust.
Nyamweya’s remarks add to mounting criticism of CAF’s appeal board decision, which awarded a 3–0 victory to the Morocco national football team after determining that Senegal had forfeited the final.
The ruling followed events during the January 18 final in Rabat, where Senegal players briefly left the pitch in protest at a late penalty awarded to Morocco. The players later returned, and the match was completed, with Senegal scoring in extra time through Pape Gueye to secure what they believed was their second AFCON title.
However, CAF’s appeal board later concluded that the walkout breached Articles 82 and 84 of the competition regulations, leading to Senegal being deemed to have forfeited the match.
Nyamweya questioned the legal basis of the decision, arguing that the result on the pitch should not have been overturned. “This is not only an unprecedented but also an exceptionally serious decision based on a manifestly erroneous interpretation of the regulations, leading to a grossly illegal and deeply unjust decision,” he told Flashscore.
While acknowledging that Senegal’s players were wrong to leave the field, he maintained that the match had been properly concluded under the authority of the referee.
“Senegal players were at fault for walking out after the referee awarded Morocco what was seen as a questionable penalty deep into added time. However, Senegal went on to score in extra time in full view of the world to win the title. CAF’s decision to strip them of the trophy after a complaint from Morocco amounts to daylight robbery.”
The controversy has sparked widespread debate across African football, with critics arguing that the ruling undermines the principle that matches should be decided on the field of play.
Nyamweya warned that the decision could have lasting consequences for the sport on the continent, suggesting it sets a troubling precedent for future competitions.
“Football must be won on the pitch and not in boardrooms.”
The dispute over the final has continued to intensify in recent days, with Senegal expected to challenge the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
CAF’s decision, based on its interpretation of tournament regulations, remains in place for now, with Morocco officially recognised as champions.
However, the growing criticism from figures such as Nyamweya highlights the divisions within African football over how the rules should be applied and whether context should play a greater role in such decisions.
As the case moves towards a possible legal challenge, the debate surrounding the AFCON final shows little sign of easing, with questions continuing to be raised about governance, fairness and the integrity of competition outcomes on the continent.
