Pep Guardiola expresses shock over Senegal’s stripped AFCON title

Pep Guardiola has voiced surprise at the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) decision to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and award it to Morocco.

The Manchester City manager spoke out after the ruling, announced Tuesday evening, which came nearly two months after Senegal lost the final 1-0 in extra time.

The decision has generated widespread debate and criticism across the football world.

Speaking through comments relayed by journalist Fabrizio Romano, Guardiola admitted that he was caught off guard by the move and questioned its transparency.

“It’s a surprise. I don’t know the reason behind this decision, but it was made behind the scenes,” Guardiola said.

He added: “What happens everywhere is what we see; it doesn’t actually happen, everything always happens behind the scenes and we never see their faces.”

The remarks highlight growing concerns among football figures over CAF’s handling of the case.

The ruling, which awarded Morocco the championship despite their defeat in the final, has been described as unprecedented and has sparked debate over governance and procedural fairness.

Guardiola’s comments add to a chorus of voices questioning the legitimacy of the decision and underline the confusion that has spread beyond Africa’s football community.

CAF has yet to provide a detailed explanation addressing these concerns, leaving observers and football professionals seeking clarity on the circumstances surrounding the controversial AFCON 2025 ruling.

The episode continues to dominate discussions, with the Senegalese team, known as the Teranga Lions, and the broader football world awaiting further updates on the matter.