Senegal’s AFCON 2025 Victory Saved Morocco, CAF From Global Scandal” — Odegbami Explodes

Former Super Eagles star Segun Odegbami has argued that Senegal’s triumph at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations ultimately shielded host nation Morocco and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) from a potentially damaging controversy.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Odegbami said the outcome of the pulsating final in Rabat helped prevent allegations that could have undermined the credibility of what had largely been hailed as a well-organised and successful tournament.

AFCON 2025 had built up to a blockbuster final between two continental heavyweights. Morocco, the tournament hosts, Africa’s highest-ranked side and 2022 World Cup semi-finalists, were seeking their first AFCON title in 50 years, while Senegal, champions in 2021, were eager to reclaim the trophy they lost at the previous edition.

However, the closing moments of the final were overshadowed by contentious decisions. In added time, Senegal had a goal ruled out for a foul in the build-up, before Morocco were awarded a penalty following a VAR review for a challenge on Brahim Diaz.

The calls sparked furious reactions from the Senegalese bench, who felt the disallowed goal and the penalty decision were inconsistent. Matters escalated when coach Pape Thiaw briefly led his players off the pitch in protest, before captain Sadio Mané persuaded them to return.

Diaz went on to miss the penalty, the game headed into extra time, and Senegal eventually secured victory through a stunning strike by Pape Gueye.

Odegbami believes that chain of events made Senegal’s victory the least contentious outcome for the tournament. The 1980 AFCON winner dismissed claims of any grand conspiracy involving Morocco or CAF, instead attributing the drama to questionable officiating.

While acknowledging that Morocco fully earned their place in the final, he maintained that a home victory under such circumstances would have been difficult to justify.

In his weekly column, Odegbami wrote that Morocco’s defeat, painful as it was, may in hindsight be a blessing, as it spared both the host nation and the competition from controversy that could have cast a shadow over the championship.

He added that, on balance, Senegal were marginally the better side on the night and deserved to lift the trophy, noting that fairness ultimately prevailed despite the tense moments.

Odegbami also praised Morocco and CAF for the overall organisation of the tournament, commending their innovation, commitment to fair play and the successful delivery of a memorable AFCON.

Earlier in the competition, Odegbami had tipped Nigeria to win the title after the Super Eagles impressed in the group stage, winning their first five matches and scoring 14 goals.

Nigeria’s campaign ended with a penalty shoot-out loss to Morocco in the semi-finals, before they bounced back to claim the bronze medal by defeating Egypt on penalties in the third-place match.