The Congolese Football Federation has publicly congratulated referee Jean-Jacques Ndala for his handling of the AFCON 2025 final between Senegal and Morocco, despite the huge controversy and chaotic scenes that marked the closing minutes of the match.
The move surprised many observers, who felt it ignored the scale of the refereeing errors that dominated post-game debate.
In an official statement, federation president Belinda Lontadla Nzonzi praised what she described as Ndala’s “composure” and “firm control” of the game. She argued that the performance of the Congolese officiating team honoured the country’s refereeing reputation, even as Ndala faced widespread criticism over decisions that had a direct impact on the course of the final.
On the Moroccan side, however, the reaction has been harsh. According to media reports, Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, has called for Ndala to be suspended, insisting the referee should have ended the match in Morocco’s favour once Senegal’s players temporarily walked off in protest at a late penalty, in line with tournament regulations.
Critics in Morocco see the Congolese statement as a one-sided defence of their referee that deliberately overlooks key incidents and the chaos that unfolded.
For them, the message from Kinshasa amounts to an unnecessary and unjustified show of support that deepens frustration over how the final was managed on and off the pitch.
