CAF president’s visit to Dakar amid CAN 2025 controversy

The president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, arrived in Dakar on Wednesday, nearly a month after the governing body controversially stripped Senegal of its CAN 2025 title in favor of Morocco. The decision, which sparked outrage across the West African nation, has left tensions simmering in the football community.

Motsepe’s visit follows his late-March announcement of planned trips to both Senegal and Morocco to emphasize the need for unity in developing African football. Landing at Blaise Diagne International Airport in the early hours of Wednesday, he was greeted by Abdoulaye Fall, president of the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF).

Agenda of the high-stakes visit

According to a CAF statement, Motsepe’s itinerary includes a historic stop at Gorée Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its role in the transatlantic slave trade. He is then expected to meet with Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye at the presidential palace before holding a press conference at 5:30 PM local time (GMT) in a Dakar hotel.

Controversial decision fuels Senegalese backlash

The decision to award the title to Morocco—despite a 1-0 extra-time victory by Senegal over the Lions of the Atlas in January—has been met with fierce criticism in Senegal. The chaotic final, played in Rabat, saw Senegal players briefly walk off the pitch after a disputed penalty decision in stoppage time. Morocco’s missed penalty by Brahim Diaz in the shootout ultimately led to a Senegal win, but the CAF later nullified the result.

On March 17, the CAF Appeals Jury ruled that Senegal had forfeited the final, citing Articles 82 and 84 of the competition’s regulations. The decision was delivered to the Senegalese Football Federation three weeks after the announcement, prompting an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), though no hearing date has been set.

Government calls for transparency

The controversy has escalated into a national issue. On March 18, the Senegalese government demanded an international investigation into alleged corruption within CAF leadership, calling the decision an “affair of state.” Motsepe has since defended the independence of the governing body’s disciplinary processes, denying any preferential treatment for member nations.

The CAF president’s visit comes at a critical moment, as football fans and officials in Senegal continue to question the legitimacy of the outcome. With the CAS appeal pending, the footballing world awaits further developments in this unprecedented saga.