Former Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo has spoken out against the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) decision to strip Senegal of the 2025 AFCON title and award it to Morocco. The ruling, which was announced two weeks ago, has sparked intense backlash, with many accusing CAF of favoritism towards the North African giants.
The controversy stems from a chaotic end to the final match between Senegal and Morocco, where Senegal temporarily walked off the pitch in protest. Despite Senegal's eventual win, CAF rescinded the trophy, citing a breach of tournament regulations. However, Ighalo, who served on media duties during the competition, believes that the decision was unfair and damaging to African football's image.
Ighalo, a former Manchester United star, acknowledged that the referee in the match was biased, but argued that CAF should have stopped the game and made a decision at the time rather than letting Senegal win. He also praised Sadio Mané, who convinced his teammates to return to the pitch and finish the match.
The decision has given people leverage to disparage African football, according to Ighalo, who believes that it drags the continent's football five steps backward. This verdict is a significant setback for African football, which had made significant progress with the 2025 AFCON tournament.
Odion Ighalo's criticism of CAF's decision highlights the concerns many Nigerians have about the governing body's handling of African football. The decision to strip Senegal of the title may have given Morocco leverage, but it also raises questions about the fairness and integrity of African football's governing body. Sadio Mané's leadership on the pitch was a testament to the spirit of African football, and it's disappointing that CAF's decision may undermine the progress made by the continent's footballers.
