Ex-Nigeria striker Odion Ighalo BLASTS CAF’s decision to strip of Senegal AFCON title

Former Nigeria striker Odion Ighalo has criticised the Confederation of African Football following its controversial decision to strip Senegal of their Africa Cup of Nations title, warning that such actions risk damaging the competition’s global reputation.

Speaking to Brila FM, Ighalo expressed frustration at a moment he believes undermines years of effort to elevate the status of Africa’s premier football tournament.

“We are trying to push it [AFCON] and make it elite in the eyes of the world. But what just happened brings the competition down again,” he said.

The former Super Eagles forward’s comments reflect growing unease within the football community, where CAF’s ruling has sparked intense debate.

For Ighalo, the decision not only casts doubt over the legitimacy of the tournament but also threatens the progress made in positioning AFCON among the world’s most respected international competitions.

CAF has faced scrutiny in recent years as it seeks to modernise and expand the appeal of AFCON, attracting bigger audiences and greater commercial value.

However, this latest controversy has reopened questions about governance and consistency in decision-making.

Ighalo’s intervention adds to a chorus of voices calling for greater transparency, with many insisting that administrative decisions should not overshadow achievements earned on the pitch.

As discussions continue, the incident is likely to have lasting implications for how African football’s top competition is perceived—both on the continent and beyond.