Africa’s premier football tournament, AFCON 2025, has been marred by controversy and has fallen short of its former glory during the 2025 edition. The recent matches, including the semi-finals and finals, have been overshadowed by excitement, controversy, and disgrace.
It all began with Nigeria’s match against Morocco in the semifinals, followed by Senegal facing the same controversial Moroccans.
During the AFCON stages, there was significant backlash regarding the 2026 AFCON, as Nigerian and Senegalese fans criticized the officiating referee for allegedly colluding with Morocco to enable their unfair advancement to the next rounds.
As concerns mount, in Nigeria, following their defeat by Morocco, Adams Azeez,, an x user expressed his frustration calling for sanctions against the referee: “FIFA should penalize the referee. This is an embarrassment to African football.”
Others pointed fingers at FIFA President Gianni Infantino, claiming, “He is playing politics within FIFA, and the CAF president is complicit.
This is similar to how Messi has received multiple Ballon d’Or awards. I’m grateful that Sadio Mane’s Senegal salvaged African football last night.”
Similar issues arose during the AFCON finals between Senegal and Morocco, where Senegal protested a penalty awarded to Morocco by leaving the field.
Although the penalty was ultimately missed by Morocco’s Brahim Diaz, a Real Madrid player, his failure to convert it drew criticism from fans, top football icons, including former Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo.
Read also:
- MKO National Stadium set to gulp N24bn in 2026 budget\
- Doping: FIFA ban goalkeeper Gbohouo for 18 months
- Super Eagles rise to 26th in FIFA after AFCON 3rd place finish
Ighalo condemned Diaz for his unsuccessful Panenka penalty, which he felt toyed with the emotions of millions of Moroccan supporters, both in the stadium and at home, at such a crucial moment.
As AFCON 2026 continues to face geopolitical challenges, FIFA President Infantino expressed his displeasure on Monday regarding the state of African football during the finals, move to impose sanctions on Senegal for their protest and abandonment of the match.
He condemned the chaos that marred the AFCON final, deeming the actions of some Senegalese players and fans as unacceptable.
The final, featuring Senegal and Morocco, was clouded by controversy when several Senegal players walked off the pitch late in the game to protest a penalty awarded to Morocco after a VAR review.
In a statement to AFP, Infantino remarked that leaving the field in protest was inappropriate and damaging to the reputation of football.
