CAF president visits Dakar amid tensions over CAN 2025 title decision

Patrice Motsepe, president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), arrived in Dakar overnight, nearly a month after the governing body controversially stripped Senegal of its CAN 2025 title in favor of Morocco despite losing the final on the pitch. The decision, based on articles 82 and 84 of the competition’s regulations, has sparked outrage across Senegal.

Symbolic visit in a tense climate

Motsepe’s visit follows his late-March commitment to meet stakeholders in both countries to emphasize the need for “collaboration in growing African football.” Upon landing at Blaise Diagne International Airport, he was greeted by Abdoulaye Fall, president of the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF).

According to a CAF statement, the visit will begin with a tour of Gorée Island—a UNESCO World Heritage site symbolizing the transatlantic slave trade—before a high-level meeting with Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. A press conference is scheduled for 5:30 PM local time (Dakar/GMT) at a Dakar hotel.

Government demands answers

The CAF’s decision has fueled fierce debate in Senegal. The chaotic January final in Rabat saw Senegal briefly walk off the pitch after a controversial injury-time penalty call, which was later missed by Morocco’s Brahim Diaz in a failed panenka attempt. Despite Senegal winning 1-0 in extra time, the CAF’s Appeals Jury declared Senegal “forfeited,” awarding Morocco a 3-0 win on March 17.

Following the ruling, the Senegalese government called for an international investigation into alleged corruption within CAF leadership. Motsepe has repeatedly denied any preferential treatment, stressing the independence of CAF’s disciplinary bodies. The Senegalese Football Federation has since appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), with a verdict pending.