CAF acted swiftly after a match ball went missing during Wednesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) clash between Algeria and Equatorial Guinea at Morocco’s Moulay Hassan Stadium.
Following the final whistle, tournament officials noticed that two of the 15 match balls were unaccounted for, immediately raising concerns about equipment management and oversight during the event.
Security footage soon pinpointed the source of the issue. Cameras captured a member of Algeria’s technical staff taking one of the balls at halftime and concealing it under his clothing.
While CAF officials recovered the first ball, the second remains missing, prompting an ongoing search.
CAF’s tournament coordinator confronted the Algerian team in their dressing room to address the incident.
Initially, the staff denied any involvement, but once presented with the video evidence, they returned the stolen ball.
On social media, observers described the incident as “unprofessional,” highlighting how such actions undermine discipline and tournament regulations.
The episode underscored the importance of strict oversight and professional conduct in major competitions, reminding all teams of their responsibility to comply fully with CAF rules.
