CAF president Patrice Motsepe voices disappointment over 2025 AFCON final controversy

Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe has expressed strong dissatisfaction over the events surrounding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, pledging swift reforms to address the shortcomings identified during the match.

Speaking during a visit to Morocco on Thursday, after a prior stop in Senegal, Motsepe addressed the controversy that has continued to attract widespread reaction across the continent.

“I am extremely disappointed with what happened during the 2025 AFCON final,” he said.

The CAF president acknowledged that the issues observed during the decisive fixture had exposed weaknesses within the organisation’s current systems, particularly in relation to regulations governing major competitions.

Motsepe reaffirmed CAF’s support for Morocco, its football federation and King Mohammed VI, while emphasising the urgency of implementing corrective measures to prevent similar incidents in future tournaments.

“We are putting in place changes to our statutes and regulations, as well as those of the AFCON, to ensure that these weaknesses are corrected,” he added.

He further explained that although CAF’s regulatory framework is aligned with FIFA standards, certain aspects require revision to meet the evolving demands of modern football governance.

“It is clear to us that some of these regulations need to be changed,” he acknowledged.

The South African businessman also pointed to the need for stronger disciplinary measures, stressing that sanctions must be both fair and effective in addressing breaches of the rules.

“For certain violations of the regulations, the sanctions must be appropriate and proportionate,” he insisted.

Motsepe concluded by underlining the importance of strict adherence to established guidelines in safeguarding the credibility of African football competitions.

CAF’s response signals a commitment to learning from the controversy surrounding the 2025 final, with the governing body aiming to reinforce trust and integrity across its tournaments as it moves forward.