Senegal lawyer confident of winning Morocco dispute over 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title

Senegal’s legal team believes it has a strong chance of overturning the decision to award Morocco the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title, with lawyer Patrick Cabo putting their prospects at “200%”.

Cabo, a member of Senegal’s defence team, made the comments after Thursday’s hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland. The panel is considering Senegal’s appeal against the Confederation of African Football (CAF) ruling that granted the title to Morocco.

Speaking to Senegalese radio and television broadcaster RTS, Cabo said he could not discuss the details of the case because he was directly involved as a lawyer. However, he offered an assessment in his capacity as a research professor and praised the work carried out by the team led by lawyer Seydou Diane.

The hearing was attended by Cabo, Diane and Ali Fall, who form part of Senegal’s legal representation in the dispute.

‘Our chances are 200%’

Cabo said the lawyers selected for the case had extensive experience in proceedings before CAS and that their involvement had strengthened Senegal’s position.

“When we see the names of the lawyers who handled this case, we feel confident,” Cabo said. “They are names we regularly come across in the corridors of the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and they are lawyers with extensive experience in the procedures.”

He also praised the written submission prepared by Diane’s team, describing it as coherent, precise and clear in presenting Senegal’s demands and legal arguments.

“When we look at the submission prepared by the team led by Diane, our chances, if I were to express them as a percentage, are 200%,” Cabo added.

Despite Cabo’s confidence, the outcome remains solely in the hands of the CAS panel, which will issue its ruling after reviewing the arguments and submissions from both sides.

Cabo also called for the dispute to be resolved quickly, reflecting the anticipation among Senegalese supporters waiting for a final decision on the title.

“We must continue to keep our cup, because it has already become ours,” he said. “If possible, we must find another way to celebrate it, after having celebrated it before.”

The lawyer previously represented the interests of 18 Senegalese supporters who were detained in Morocco after the tournament final.

Cabo’s comments underline the confidence within Senegal’s legal team, but they do not determine the result of the appeal. Both sides are awaiting CAS’s decision, which will settle the dispute over the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title.

According to reports in the Senegalese media, CAS is expected to issue its ruling between 18 and 22 October.