CAF President seeks 'diplomatic channels' in Dakar over AFCON dispute

CAF President Patrice Motsepe arrived in Dakar on Wednesday for his first visit since the Appeals Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) awarded the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title to Morocco.

Footage shows Motsepe touring Goree Island, where he met with local authorities and joined CAF and Senegalese officials for a press conference.

"Beyond the sport, that is to say, this story of the Coupe being kept by Senegal or claimed legally by Morocco, there are lives, there are freedoms that are confiscated, like these 18 Senegalese who, since the Africa Cup of Nations, cannot join their families or return to their country," former FSF president and CAF member Augustin Senghor said.

"It is perhaps at this level that we are expecting action from him [Patrice Motsepe] and the president, Gianni [Infantino], and many others who have the power to restrain African heads of state," Senghor added.

Motsepe emphasized the sensitivity of the issue about the 'sovereignty of both nations.'

"We think that the right thing is to ensure that those discussions do not take place in the public domain, in the media, but that there's engagement between the authorities and the proper diplomatic channels," he continued.

He also reaffirmed CAF's commitment to integrity and independence. "I gave Sadio Mane the trophy [...] But I have to follow the law. And I have to respect the rules and the regulations," Motsepe added.

"Whether it's an investigation by a government, an authority, or anybody, I welcome and support it. Because of any corruption in CAF, we want to know about it, and we will take action ourselves immediately," the CAF president stressed.

Senegal had initially beaten Morocco 1-0 in the final on January 18. The match was disrupted when Senegalese players refused to continue after a stoppage-time penalty was awarded with the score level.

Following a 17-minute delay, play resumed; Brahim Diaz missed the penalty, and Pape Gueye scored the extra-time winner.

Two months later, CAF's Appeals Committee ruled that Senegal had forfeited the match, awarding Morocco a 3–0 victory under Articles 82 and 84 of CAF regulations.

The committee stated that Senegalese players had left the pitch and refused to return for an extended period in protest against refereeing decisions, including a disallowed goal and a VAR-awarded penalty for Morocco. This was deemed an official withdrawal, despite the match being completed later.

Motsepe is set to travel to Morocco on Thursday to meet the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) and other officials to contain the crisis and restore confidence in African football governance.

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