Sadio Mane Blasts CAF After Senegal Stripped Of AFCON Title

Senegal forward Sadio Mané has hit out at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following its controversial ruling on the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Naija News reports that CAF on Tuesday stripped Senegal of the AFCON title and awarded it to Morocco after a dramatic review of the tournament’s final.

The decision, delivered by the CAF Appeal Board, effectively rewrites the outcome of the January AFCON final.

According to the verdict, Senegal forfeited the match after abandoning the pitch during a chaotic final. The board subsequently nullified the original result and handed Morocco a 3-0 walkover victory, crowning them African champions.

Mané, reacting on Instagram, voiced strong frustration at the development, accusing football authorities of allowing corruption to shape outcomes.

“What has happened here goes too far. This is not the football we fight for, nor the Africa we believe in,” Mane said as quoted by GOAL.

“There is too much corruption in our sport, and that is killing the passion of millions of fans across the continent. The players give their all on the pitch, but decisions off the pitch determine the outcome of matches and titles.”

Naija News has reported that the Senegal Football Federation has rejected the ruling and has decided to appeal the judgment at the Court of Arbitration for Sports.