CAF is giving Jamie Carragher power criticize AFCON – Idion Ighalo slams decision to strip Senegal of AFCON title

Former Super Eagles forward Odion Ighalo has delivered a strong rebuke of the Confederation of African Football’s controversial decision to strip Senegal of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title.

The move by Confederation of African Football sent shockwaves across the continent earlier this month, after the governing body ruled against Senegal following a formal protest lodged by the Moroccan Football Federation.

CAF cited Senegal’s temporary walk-off during a chaotic final as a violation of tournament regulations.

The ruling, however, has sparked widespread backlash, with critics accusing the authorities of bias in favour of North African nations.

Ighalo, who was part of the media coverage team during the tournament, acknowledged that while the decision may align with the rules, it risks undermining the credibility of Africa’s flagship football competition.

Speaking on Brila FM, the former Manchester United striker did not hide his frustration.

“This AFCON took us ten steps forward, but this decision drags us five steps backward. It has given people leverage to start disparaging African football again,” he said.

An AFCON 2019 bronze medalist, Ighalo warned that controversies of this nature only reinforce long-standing criticism from sections of the international media.

“I always challenge foreign media outlets that talk down on AFCON and try to discourage players from attending,” he added.

“We are trying to elevate the competition and make it elite in the eyes of the world, but what has happened only brings it down again. Now you’re giving people like Jamie Carragher more reason to criticise the tournament.”

Meanwhile, the Senegalese Football Federation has taken the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in a bid to overturn the decision.

With a final verdict expected soon, attention now turns to whether the fate of the 2025 AFCON title will ultimately be settled through legal proceedings or on the pitch.