“Morocco are champions in your books, not ours” – Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala fires back at CAF ruling

Nigeria icon and African female football legend, Asisat Oshoala, has strongly criticized the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for declaring Morocco as champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, months after the tournament in the North African country.

The continental football governing body (CAF) Appeal Board dropped on a bombshell on Tuesday night, annulling Senegal’s AFCON 2025 success and awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory.

In a landmark ruling issued under Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations, CAF upheld an appeal lodged by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), setting aside the earlier decision of the Disciplinary Board.

The decision stems from dramatic scenes during the final, when Senegal players walked off the pitch for over 17 minutes in protest against a late penalty awarded to Morocco.

Following Sadio Mane’s intervention, the Teranga Lions returned to the pitch for the continuation of the match and subsequently prevailed with a narrow win through Pape Gueye after Brahim Diaz had missed the penalty that had triggered the protest.

CAF, however, ruled that the conduct of the Senegal team constituted a breach of the competition’s regulations. As a result, the Federation Senegalaise de Football (FSF) was found to have infringed Article 82, leading to the forfeiture of the match under Article 84.

‘Morocco is the African champion in YOUR book (CAF), not in ours!!!’ she wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The ruling brings closure to a highly contentious final and sets a significant precedent for disciplinary enforcement in African football.