Edouard Mendy slams CAF again as Senegal Keeper questions credibility of African football

Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy has once again voiced strong criticism of African football’s leadership, taking aim at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) over what he describes as persistent shortcomings in governance and organization.

The outspoken remarks come amid ongoing controversy surrounding the CAF Appeals Committee’s decision to strip Senegal of a continental title and award it to Morocco—a ruling that has sparked widespread debate and tension across African football.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of Senegal’s international friendly against Gambia, the experienced shot-stopper did not hold back in his assessment of the state of the game on the continent.

Mendy argued that CAF is failing to meet the expectations of players, fans, and stakeholders, insisting that repeated issues continue to undermine the credibility of African competitions on the global stage.

In his view, African football cannot command the same level of respect as tournaments such as the UEFA European Championship or the Copa America due to weaknesses in its governing structures.

“It has become commonplace for it to fall short of expectations,” he suggested, pointing to a pattern of controversies and administrative challenges that he believes hold African football back from reaching its full potential.

The goalkeeper’s comments reflect a broader frustration among some players and observers who feel that African football has the talent and passion but lacks the administrative strength to match the standards of other major confederations.

Mendy’s criticism adds further pressure on CAF at a time when its decisions are already under intense scrutiny, with calls growing for greater transparency, consistency, and reform in how the game is managed across the continent.

As one of Africa’s most prominent and successful goalkeepers on the global stage, Mendy’s voice carries significant weight, and his latest remarks are likely to reignite discussions about the future direction and governance of African football.