Fresh controversy has emerged over the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final after a CAF refereeing official suggested instructions were given to allow the match between Senegal and Morocco to continue.
The remarks came a month after disciplinary sanctions were handed down following the heated final played at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
According to the chairman of the CAF Referees Committee, Olivier Safari Kabene, decisions taken during the game involving referee Jean-Jacques Ndala were influenced by the need to prevent the match from being abandoned.
The final between Senegal national football team and Morocco national football team had already been marked by tension.
At one point, Senegal coach Pape Thiaw instructed his players to leave the pitch before they later returned and play resumed.
Morocco’s camp argued that the departure should have resulted in a default victory for the side coached by Walid Regragui.
Instead, the match continued. Brahim Díaz missed the penalty that had sparked the dispute, and Pape Gueye went on to score the winning goal in extra time.
“We have given instructions”
“All the Senegalese players who left the field should have been warned immediately upon their return, but we gave instructions not to do so in order to preserve the match and avoid its being abandoned before the end of regulation time,” revealed Olivier Safari Kabene, according to Winwin.
His comments suggest that strict application of the laws of the game was set aside so the final could reach its conclusion amid a tense atmosphere in Rabat.
The encounter had already led to suspensions and fines for both teams from the Confederation of African Football disciplinary committee, but the new statement has reignited debate around the officiating and handling of the decisive match.
