Senegal star Sadio Mané has launched a blistering attack on the continent’s footballing authorities, claiming “too much corruption” is “killing the passion” of the game.
The former Liverpool forward’s comments come after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) took the unprecedented step of stripping Senegal of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title and awarding the trophy to Morocco instead.
The decision has sent shockwaves through Dakar and beyond, overturning the results of a final that ended in chaos in Casablanca.
On 18 January, Senegal appeared to have secured continental glory after defeating Morocco 1-0 in a gruelling extra-time encounter. However, the celebrations were short-lived.
The CAF Appeals Committee has now ruled that Senegal forfeited the match following a dramatic 17-minute walk-off by the Teranga Lions late in the game.
The protest was triggered when the referee awarded Morocco a controversial penalty in stoppage time, sparking scenes of disorder on the pitch.
Under the strict terms of Article 82 of the CAF regulations, any team refusing to continue play without the official’s consent is deemed to have conceded the match.
Consequently, CAF has overturned the 1-0 Senegal victory and awarded Morocco a 3-0 win by forfeit. This confirms Morocco as champions, marking their first AFCON title in 50 years.
In a poignant statement, Mané did not hold back his frustration, suggesting that the integrity of the sport in Africa is at breaking point.
“This is not the football we fight for, not the Africa we believe in,” Mané said. There is too much corruption in our game, and it’s killing the passion of millions of fans across the continent.”
The Al-Nassr winger argued that the efforts of athletes are being undermined by administrative interference.
He added that players give everything on the pitch, but decisions made off it are now deciding matches and trophies.
Mané expressed deep disappointment not just for Senegal, but for African football as a whole, insisting that fans deserve fairness, transparency, and respect.
The ruling casts a long shadow over what was meant to be a celebration of African talent.
While Morocco celebrates a historic milestone, the fallout raises urgent questions regarding governance, transparency, and the pressure placed on match officials during high-stakes fixtures.
For Senegal, the sense of injustice is palpable. For CAF, the challenge now lies in repairing a reputation bruised by one of the most controversial finishes in the tournament’s history.
