CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe has reacted to the shock decision by the CAF Appeals Board regarding the Africa Cup of Nations final(AFCON 2025), that saw Morocco named as champions despite Senegal winning the title in January.
Speaking firmly on the principle of fairness across the continent, Motsepe addressed the brewing storm by making it clear that no nation,regardless of its standing, is above the rules.
“A critical factor is that not a single country in Africa will be treated in a manner that is more preferential or more advantageous or more favorable than any other country on the African continent. We take what has happened at the final match in Morocco during the AFCON very, very seriously,” he said. In a video released on Wednesday night.
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Motsepe defended the integrity of the CAF judicial bodies, noting that the members are respected lawyers and judges representing all 54 member nations. He pointed to the conflicting rulings between different CAF boards as clear evidence of their independence from executive influence.
“In choosing the members of our judicial bodies,w invited each member association and we invited every zone and if you look at the composition of those bodies, they reflect some of the most respected lawyers and judges on the continent. The CAF Disciplinary Board took one decision. The CAF Appeals Board took a totally different position.
I’m told that Senegal is going to appeal, which is very important. Every one of the 54 nations in Africa has a right to pursue their appeals, not only at the highest level in Africa in CAF, but also the highest body, which is the CAS [Court of Arbitration for Sport].”
Addressing the judicial crisis, Motsepe framed the current situation as a battle against long-standing systemic issues that he has prioritized since taking office.
“When I became president, one of the major concerns was the impartiality, the independence, and the respect of referees and match commissioners,” he explained. “There continues to be suspicion because it’s a legacy issue. It’s something that has been there for many, many years, and we consistently deal with that because that’s critically important.”
The decision by the CAF Appeals Board has already sparked sharp criticism across the continent, with many fans and football analysts questioning the timing and the dramatic nature of stripping a title after such a long period.
Critics argue that such a reversal threatens to overshadow the sporting achievements on the pitch and could set a precarious precedent for future tournaments.
Senegal has already confirmed that it will be lodging an official case at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland. This move marks the final battle for the Lions of Teranga as they seek to overturn the Appeals Board’s ruling and reclaim their status as two time champions.
