Former Nigeria international Segun Odegbami has criticised the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) decision to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title and award it to Morocco.
Odegbami described CAF’s move to overturn the January final result as “bizarre, condemnable and unjustifiable,” noting that Senegal had already been crowned champions and celebrated globally before the verdict was reversed on technical grounds.
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“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.
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“This judgement has shaken CAF’s credibility. It is not surprising the world is up in arms,” Odegbami stated.
The former forward questioned the motive behind the ruling, describing it as both risky and unpopular.
“What could have driven such a decision that undermines the spirit of the game?” he asked.
Odegbami argued that while football regulations may not cover every scenario, rare cases demand a balance between rules and common sense.
“This AFCON case demands that rules and common sense must align,” he said.
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.”
According to him, Morocco’s protest—initially dismissed—was later upheld on appeal, leading to the unprecedented reversal of a final result.
“The decision to reverse a final match result is one of the most unpopular ever,” he said.
Odegbami acknowledged that walkouts typically attract forfeiture but insisted context was crucial in this case.
“The referee allowed play to resume, which changed everything. Senegal won fairly on the pitch,” he argued.
He maintained that once the final had concluded and a winner was declared, there was no justification for post-match litigation.
“Punish any infractions if necessary, but do not tamper with a concluded final,” he said.
Odegbami urged CAF to review its regulations and reinstate Senegal as champions.
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