It’s a ‘SILLY’ decision to strip Senegal of AFCON title – Veteran coach Roger De Sa hits back at CAF

Veteran coach Roger De Sa has voiced strong disappointment following the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) decision to strip Senegal of their 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, just two months after the final.

CAF awarded the championship to Morocco after the North African nation successfully appealed over Senegal’s walk-off protest during the final.

The ruling reversed the on-field result, turning Senegal’s 1-0 victory into a 3-0 forfeit win for the hosts.

Speaking to KickOff, De Sa acknowledged the rulebook but questioned the governing bodies’ handling of the situation.

“If you remember when it happened, I said, according to the rules, Senegal shouldn’t have won the game. You can’t have players leaving the field,” De Sa said.

“If they come back to the field, they should be booked. That’s what the law says. So, CAF obviously went above the law. So, CAF and FIFA has to step in. Now they are looking a little bit silly.”

The Senegalese Football Federation called the ruling unfair, unprecedented, and unacceptable, adding that it undermines the credibility of African football.

De Sa believes the West Africans’ appeal could potentially reverse the decision. He also warned that the controversy further fuels global skepticism about African football.

“Once again, how does the rest of the world even recognise AFCON now since, over the years, they’ve been telling everybody that it’s a useless tournament? With this now, we are reinforcing their statement,” adds the former Egypt national team assistant, while taking a dim view of the situation.

Reflecting on the broader implications, the former Egypt national team assistant added: “Our continent has a very particular way of destroying itself. It’s unbelievable!

“It’s gonna be a non-stop discussion from now on. For the referee to allow the matches to continue, he was given orders from above as well. I’m sure of that. There was 10 people from CAF or FIFA around the referee.”

De Sa also raised concerns over the practical fallout.

“If the prizemoney has been paid to Senegal, who is gonna give it back and who is gonna give their medals back? I know I wouldn’t. This leaves a bitter taste to anybody. It’s not good for the African game, it’s a bit of an embarrassment.”

The decision marks one of the most controversial chapters in AFCON history, leaving fans, officials, and players divided across the continent.