The controversy launched by Algerian commentator Hafid Derradji after the Africa Cup of Nations final continues to rumble on, but what began as a question about delayed congratulations from CAF and FIFA to Senegal has quickly revealed, in the eyes of many observers, a hostile tone towards Morocco and its growing football success.
Derradji, who has often appeared with ambiguous positions whenever a Moroccan achievement is involved, chose a highly sensitive moment to push a narrative of “historic precedent”, implying that the lack of immediate congratulations undermined Senegal’s title.
Critics note that he deliberately ignored the disciplinary and legal context that forces major bodies to wait for reports, investigations and sanctions after a controversial final marked by withdrawals and unsporting behaviour.
Instead, he linked every organisational detail to Morocco, as if the Kingdom’s widely praised hosting of a “model” tournament had become an obsession for some.
Moroccan commentator Jouad Badda responded firmly, stressing that demanding hasty congratulations before the end of inquiries effectively excuses bad conduct and encourages its repetition, and that any trophy does not cancel the principle of accountability.
His reply, widely shared online, not only countered Derradji’s claims but also exposed the ideological motives behind them, bringing the debate back to respect for regulations, the image of African football and the refusal to use media platforms to settle grudges against a Morocco that is imposing itself through infrastructure, organisation and results rather than noise.
