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Football • 4h ago

“An embarrassment” – Ex-Aston Villa midfielder slams CAF for awarding AFCON to Morocco

“An embarrassment” – Ex-Aston Villa midfielder slams CAF for awarding AFCON to Morocco
**AFCON Drama: Ex-Aston Villa Star Slams CAF for Awarding Trophy to Morocco** Former Nigerian footballer Nigel-Reo Coker has expressed his disappointment and frustration with the governing body of African football, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), for awarding the AFCON 2025 trophy to Morocco. This decision comes on the heels of a dramatic AFCON final between Morocco and Senegal, which was marred by controversy and questionable refereeing decisions. The AFCON final, which was held recently, saw Senegal's Sadio Mane and his team face off against Morocco's Brahim Diaz in a thrilling match that went into extra time. However, the game was not without its controversies, as several questionable refereeing decisions were made against Senegal, including a goal being chalked off due to an early foul call. The final straw came in the 95th minute when Senegal's El Hadji Malick Diouf was brought down by Brahim Diaz, resulting in a penalty being awarded to Morocco. Despite their protests, Senegal's players walked off the field, only to be called back by their captain, Sadio Mane. In the end, Senegal emerged victorious, with Villareal's Pape Gueye scoring the winning goal in extra time. However, the victory was short-lived, as CAF announced that Morocco had been awarded the AFCON 2025 trophy, sparking widespread outrage and disappointment among football fans. Nigerian football fans, who were already reeling from the news that the country's appeal against DR Congo's qualification for the 2026 World Cup was rejected by FIFA, felt another blow with CAF's decision. This move has been described as an "embarrassment" by some, highlighting the need for greater accountability and transparency in African football. As the drama unfolds, one thing is certain - the decision by CAF has left a sour taste in the mouths of many African football fans, and it remains to be seen how this controversy will play out in the coming days.
Source: Original Article • AI-enhanced version for clarity & Nigerian context

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