Senegal has been thrown into shock and disbelief following the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) decision to overturn the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final result, according to Senegal-based sports journalist Michael Nkeze.
Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Wednesday (18 March), Nkeze described the mood in the country as “devastating,” with many fans struggling to come to terms with the ruling.
“It’s an emotional situation right now… people are obviously devastated,” he said, noting that reactions are still unfolding as more citizens absorb the news.
CAF had ruled in favour of Morocco after determining that Senegal breached competition regulations during the final, despite Senegal’s on-field victory.
Nkeze explained that while emotions remain high, there is also an ongoing debate within Senegal about whether the team’s actions—particularly the temporary walk-off—violated tournament rules.
“There are rules… but the referee allowed play to continue, so some believe that decision should still hold,” he said.
The controversy has also reignited long-standing concerns about the global perception of African football, with Nkeze warning that the situation risks undermining the credibility of the competition.
“There are already debates about whether AFCON is taken seriously globally, and this adds to that argument,” he noted.
He confirmed that the Senegalese Football Federation is expected to appeal the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, although the outcome remains uncertain.
Beyond the legal battle, Nkeze said the incident could serve as a turning point for Senegalese football.
“This will be a learning curve… not just for Senegal but for African football as a whole,” he added.
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