Babajide Orevba writes
The ‘sacred' continental showpiece, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), was never meant to be a sideshow, Soccernet.ng reports.
Millions of football fans across the African continent see the football spectacle as a tenet to unite and showcase not just their heroes but also their cultural vibes.
However, in just two months in 2026, the competition's reputation has descended into chaos both on and off the pitch.
It began with a crazy final of the 2026 edition between host nation Morocco and Senegal in February, before a shocker from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to strip the Teranga Lions of the title they had already won and lifted in Rabat and hand it to North Africans, citing a technicality.
The argument that AFCON is a serious, credible competition has not just been questioned, it has just suffered an uppercut injury that may never fully heal.
Chaotic scenes mar AFCON final in Rabat
Two great footballing nations, Senegal and Morocco, served up a tense, goalless affair until stoppage time. Then controversy erupted after a VAR-assisted penalty was awarded to Morocco.
Senegal players went into overdrive, claiming it was yet another refereeing injustice (having already had a goal disallowed earlier in the game). The Teranga Lions walked off the pitch in a dramatic protest. The match resumed after the walk-off, and Morocco lost the spot-kick. Senegal surged forward, scored in extra time, and won 1-0. Trophy lifted.
Fans back home danced in the streets as the Lions were crowned champions of the continent. Two months later, on March 17, CAF's Appeal Board invoked obscure regulations (Articles 82 and 84), declared Senegal had “forfeited” the match, overturned the result to a 3-0 default win for Morocco, and stripped the West Africans of the title.
The refereeing error did not correct itself in the night. Two months later, the governing body convened in their office and decided to rewrite history.
The Senegalese Football Federation will head to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, after branding the ruling as “unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable”. Fans across the continent are furious. Social media has erupted with one recurring phrase: “AFCON is now a joke.” And they are not wrong.
This crisis is a self-inflicted tragedy, and the wounds have once again supported claims by football icons about the stature of the Africa Cup of Nations.
In February 2025, Liverpool legend and football pundit Jamie Carragher stated that the AFCON is not a major football tournament when comparing it with the likes of the Euros, Copa America or Champions League. “I don’t think AFCON carries the weight of other tournaments,” he said.
The comments attracted heavy criticism from several legends, including Rio Ferdinand and Jay Jay Okocha, slamming Carragher as disrespectful and ignorant.
Following CAF's latest ruling stripping Senegal of the title, Carragher's reaction has since gone viral, pointing out the absurdity. “This is why I questioned whether it's a major tournament.”
The European-centric view, which has long tainted African football, has just received additional ammunition.
Don't get me wrong; the walk-off was unsporting. Senegal's protest, which justified the grievance felt during the night, broke the rules.
However, CAF's remedy is worse than the disease, especially after allowing the final to finish. They already crowned the champions, ultimately allowing players and fans to celebrate for months, then snatching the trophy away in March?
It isn't football governance – it's simply chaos. The damage is profound, and even if Senegal wins their appeal at the CAS, the scar remains.
The perception of AFCON as a “serious competition” has suffered significant damage, potentially leading to its demise. What happens on the pitch should stay there. CAF must learn a lesson and ensure that matches are decided on the pitch and not by bureaucracy.
The trophy may have changed hands, but the real loser is AFCON itself. Its credibility is on life support.
