Former Nigeria international Segun Odegbami has called on Morocco and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to see Senegal’s victory at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations as a fortunate outcome that ultimately protected the credibility of the tournament, Soccernet.ng reports.
Odegbami believes that, after the controversy that surrounded the final in Rabat, a Senegal triumph helped to shield both the hosts and the organisers from accusations that could have cast a long shadow over an otherwise impressive competition.
The tournament had built towards a mouth-watering finale between two outstanding sides.
Hosts Morocco, Africa’s top-ranked team and 2022 World Cup semi-finalists, were chasing their first AFCON title in 50 years. Senegal, champions in 2021, were determined to reclaim the crown they had surrendered at the 2023 edition.
However, the final was overshadowed by two dramatic incidents late in the game. Deep into injury time, Senegal thought they had scored a decisive goal, only for it to be ruled out for a foul in the build-up. Moments later, the referee, after consulting VAR, awarded Morocco a penalty for a challenge on Brahim Diaz.
The decision sparked furious protests from the Senegalese, who felt the earlier disallowed goal had been cancelled for a similar ‘soft' infringement.
In a moment of high tension, coach Pape Thiaw led his players off the pitch in protest before Sadio Mané persuaded them to return. Diaz then missed the penalty, the match went into extra time, and Senegal eventually won thanks to a brilliant strike from Pape Gueye.
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Odegbami: It saved Morocco and the entire championship
Odegbami says that outcome helped preserve the integrity of the competition.
The 1980 AFCON winner insists there was no conspiracy by Morocco or CAF, arguing instead that poor officiating lay behind the flashpoints.
While he feels Morocco fully deserved their place in the final, he argues that a home victory would have been impossible to defend in the circumstances.
Writing in his weekly column, Odegbami said:
“The crisis had taken its toll on the psyche of the Moroccans and the consequence became the defeat of their team on home soil, a ‘disappointment’ that they must consider a blessing now, because it saved Morocco and the entire championship from a smear that would have blighted both of them should they have won.
“On the night, overall, the Teranga Lions of Senegal had been slightly better in a grueling match between the two best teams in the championship. On the basis of the football played, they deserved the coveted crown. The elements intervened and ensured that justice be done!
“At the end, beyond the sentimental considerations, despite a few issues in the corridors of CAF, Morocco and CAF did well and must be commended for their organisation, innovation, justice and ensuring FairPlay during this wonderful AFCON in Morocco.”
Odegbami had earlier tipped Nigeria to win the tournament after the Super Eagles won their first five matches and scored 14 goals. But the Super Eagles lost on penalties to Morocco in the semi-finals before settling for bronze after beating Egypt, also on penalties, in the third-place play-off.
