• * Segun Odegbami

Former Nigeria international footballer ,Segun Odegbami has urged the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) to review its regulations and reinstate Senegal as champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title it awarded to Morocco.

Reacting to the verdict, Odegbami while backing Senegal as the true winner of the trophy, described CAF’s overturn of the January final result as “bizarre, condemnable and unjustifiable.”

According to Odegbami, Senegal had already been crowned champions and celebrated globally before the verdict was reversed on technical grounds.

“It is unheard of in football history. You cannot take away a trophy won on the pitch two months later,” he said.

He added that the decision has sparked widespread outrage among fans and stakeholders, warning it could damage CAF’s credibility.

“This judgement has shaken CAF’s credibility. It is not surprising the world is up in arms,” Odegbami stated.

He recalled that Senegal were officially crowned by CAF and FIFA officials before a global audience, only for the decision to be overturned later by the Appeals Committee, a ruling he labelled a “poisoned verdict.”

Photo: Morocco’s Abdelhamid Sabiri being congratulated by teammates after scoring the opening goal in yesterday’s match.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has stripped the Teranga Lions of Senegal of their AFCON 2025 title.

The continental football governing body says its Appeal Board ruled that Senegal forfeited the match by leaving the pitch according to its tournament regulations.

The Appeal Board awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory win, and crowned the Atlas Lions the AFCON 2025 champions.

Senegal faced hosts Morocco in the AFCON 25 final in Rabat, and Morocco were awarded a last-minute penalty that was disputed despite VAR confirmation.

The Senegalese players stormed off the pitch in protest, but returned several minutes later to continue the match.

Brahim Diaz’s penalty was saved, and Senegal went on to score an extra-time winner and clinch a second AFCON title.

Morocco appealed Senegal’s action of leaving the pitch, but CAF’s disciplinary board ruled in favour of Senegal, leading to an appeal by Morocco’s Football Federation.

The world’s football governing, FIFA has fined Nigeria national football team and DR Congo national football team, for incidents that occurred during the FIFA 2026 qualifying match played on November 16, 2025.

DR Congo beat Nigeria 4–3 on penalties in Morocco to advance to the intercontinental play-offs.

According to FIFA, Nigeria was penalised for a breach relating to order and security at matches, specifically involving the throwing of objects by spectators under Article 17 and Article 17.2.b of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and the NFF was consequently fined 1,000 Swiss francs.

On their part, the DR Congo federation received a heavier sanction after supporters were found to have used laser pointers or similar electronic devices during the match.

The act contravenes Article 17.2.d of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, leading FIFA to impose a 5,000 Swiss francs fine on the Congolese body.