• President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Patrice Motsepe. (Photo by Phill Magakoe AFP).

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has clarified that the decision by the body to be hosting the Africa Cup of Nations from every two to four years wasn’t influenced by the FIFA.

The decision was announced last month and drew heavy criticisms, with several African football personalities alleging that it was a measure forced upon Africa by FIFA, whose president Gianni Infantino had six years ago advocated that the Cup of Nations be played four-yearly rather than every two years.

However, the CAF’s President, Patrice Motsepe, dismissed the allegations of undue influence from FIFA, emphasising that they would go ahead with the Cup of Nations every four years after 2028, plus introduce an African Nations League in 2029.

“We didn’t do as good a job at CAF in preparing the ground 1for this AFCON every four years. We must make sure that our everyday people, whom we account to, must understand what we have done is good for them,” Motsepe told a press conference on the eve of the final between Morocco and Senegal in Rabat.

“This is the right decision. We will indeed have a new competition, and it will be enormously successful. African football will be better,” he added.

“We must free ourselves as Africans and have more confidence in ourselves. It should not be about FIFA says this or UEFA says this.

“We can be convinced we are doing the right things, but it is important that everyone on the continent is convinced we are doing the right things, too.

“We have to educate our people on the decisions we have taken. We know that in two to three years, people will see what we are talking about.”

The reason Africa has held its Cup of Nations every two years while other confederations play their championship every four years is that the tournament’s revenue used to provide about 80 per cent of CAF’s budget.

However, Motsepe said: “The revenue of the AFCON is significantly less than the revenue we have generated for the African Nations League. We are absolutely convinced it will work.”

In one of the most chaotic and unforgettable finals in Africa Cup of Nations history, Senegal emerged as champions after defeating host nation Morocco 1-0 in extra time at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

Midfielder Pape Gueye delivered a thunderous strike in the first period of extra time, firing a spectacular left-footed shot into the top corner to secure Senegal’s second continental crown since their 2021 triumph.

The goal proved decisive in a tense, low-scoring encounter that had remained goalless through 90 minutes.

The match will be remembered as much for its dramatic finish as for the football itself. Deep into second-half stoppage time, the referee awarded Morocco a controversial penalty following a lengthy VAR review, ruling that Senegal defender El Hadji Malick Diouf had fouled Brahim Diaz in the box.

The decision sparked fury among the Senegalese players, who briefly walked off the pitch in protest, leading to unprecedented scenes of chaos and lengthy delays.

After returning to the field, Diaz stepped up for the spot-kick but saw his audacious Panenka attempt comfortably saved by Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, keeping the scores level and sending the game into extra time.

Senegal’s resilience shone through in the additional 30 minutes, where Gueye’s moment of brilliance sealed a famous upset against the heavily favored hosts, who were chasing their first AFCON title since 1976.

The Lions of Teranga, led by talismanic forward Sadio Mané in what may be his final AFCON appearance, demonstrated tactical discipline and defensive solidity throughout the tournament. Their victory marks them as one of the continent’s premier forces in recent years.

For Morocco, the result ends a dream of continental glory on home soil, extending their wait for a second title to 50 years. Despite the heartbreak, the Atlas Lions’ run to the final showcased their growing stature in African football.

This extraordinary final, filled with tension, controversy, and high drama, will be talked about for years to come as Senegal lift the trophy in stunning fashion.

……Sends Egypt Home via 4-2 Penalties.

The Nigerian Super Eagles on Saturday night at the glamorous city of Casablanca, Morocco clinched her 9th Bronze medal in AFCON history by dashing the hopes of the Pharaohs of Egypt and their Captain, legendary Mohammed Salah to go back to Cairo and celebrate a medal when Nigeria beat them via penalty shootout exactly the way Morocco stopped Nigeria in the semifinal 4-2.

Unfortunately for Salah he retires with this match without a medal and Goalkeeper Nwabali saving his kick which was the first for Egypt before Nwabali again saved the second kick now from Omar Marmous with his leg no wonder CAF promptly announced Nwabali as the MAN OF THE MATCH.

The cover photo by Eniola Olatunji is Nwabali speaking after he got his award.Fisayo Dele-Bahiru who scored against Morocco in penalty lost the first kick for Nigeria before Akor Adams scored; Moses Simon also scored; penalty shy Alex Iwobi also scored, then former African Footballer of the Year, Ademola Lookman sealed the Bronze medal for Nigeria with a dazzling kick.

This shootout is 48th ever at AFCON history and the 3rd at 2025 AFCON tournament, one at the Quarterfinals, one that involved Nigeria versus Morocco at the semifinal and now this Nigeria versus Egypt.

CAF had banned two pivotal players of Egypt, Marwan Attia and Salah Mohsen for two matches for alleged misconduct against Senegal in the semifinal. Nigeria benched Captain Wilfred Ndidi, star boy Victor Osimhen; Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey was also serving a match ban so Simon Moses wore the Captain’s arm band.

Lookman and Iwobi later came into the match in the second half. Simon Moses got a yellow in the 45th and will miss the next CAF organized match.

Nigeria got a goal in the 36th minute when skyscraper Paul Onuachu headed into net a lofty pass from Samuel Chukwueze that beat Goalkeeper Oufa Shobeir of Egypt neatly but VAR disallowed the goal for an elbow foul from Mr. Skyscraper.

Egypt was not fanciful despite dominating the match as the team was only able to make a shot on target in 90 minutes from 4 shots at goal but thank God for their defence as Nigeria had 5 shots at goal and all 5 were on target, Nigeria had 4-2 corner kicks which the Defence warded off.

Egypt came to impress but were under pressure as the Moroccan fans at the stands raised massive support for Nigeria booing every Egyptian move.

They had 53-47% ball possession stringing 459-392 passes that produced no goal. Nigeria bagged all the 3 yellow cards of the match from 18-15 foul calls against Nigeria.

On historical records Egypt looks like Goliath to Nigeria having met 7 times with Egypt winning 4 of the matches, Nigeria won twice; of the 17 goals scored Egypt scored 10. Four times both countries met at AFCON where Egypt won twice and drew once.

Egypt has the highest victory scores of 3-2 achieved in a friendly match of 12th April 2012.Take a look at their last six encounters. Egypt 3-Nigeria 2 in a friendly of 12th April 2012; played 1-1 at an AFCON match of 25th March 2016; piped Nigeria 1-0 at another AFCON match of 29th March 2016 but Nigeria won by a lone goal in a friendly of 26th March 2019; at AFCON 2022 Nigeria at Group D match won by a lone goal scored by Kelechi Ihenacho in the 30th minute and before AFCON 2025 began Egypt won 2-1 in a friendly match.

Kelechi and five other legendary Nigerian players just flew into Morocco to support Nigeria against Egypt.Pharaohs of Egypt scored 9 goals conceding 4 goals with 2 clean slates defeating Zimbabwe 2-1; piped South Africa by a lone goal and played goalless with Angola at the group stages before halting the Cheetahs of Benin 3-1 at the round of 16 games; narrowly edged out Ivory Coast 3-2 at the quarterfinal and lost in the semifinal to Senegal by a lone goal.

Nigeria scored a whopping 14 goals conceding 4 with 2 clean slates beating Tanzania 2-1; defeating Tunisia 3-2 and halting Uganda 3-1 at the group games before mauling Mozambique with a thunderous 4-0 in the round of 16; silenced Algeria 2-0 in the quarterfinal and lost in the semifinal 4-2 on penalties after a pulsating 0-0 after 120 minutes.

Egypt ranked 35 in the world appearing for the 27th time at the mundial are the most decorated national team on the continent winning AFCON titles seven times in 1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008 and 2010.

Nigeria ranked 38 in the world is making her 21st appearances at the mundial winning the title three times in 1980, 1994 and 2013 won Silver five times and Bronze eight times.

The finals will be a Lions war between hosts Atlas Lions of Morocco and former Champions Teranga Lions of Senegal in Rabat at 9pm. Nigeria is to travel to Rabat tomorrow morning to collect their Bronze medals after the conclusion of the final game when award ceremonies will take place.