Three weeks after the contested decision of a Confederation of African Football appeal jury to strip Senegal of its African champion title, CAF President Patrice Motsepe visited Senegal on Wednesday where he promised reforms so that African football would be more "respected".

Published on: 04/09/2026 - 01:38 Modified on: 04/09/2026 - 07:37

The president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, spoke out on Wednesday April 8 for African football free of “all problems” likely to taint its fairness. Visiting Dakar, the boss of African football promised several reforms to make it more “respected”.

His visit to the Senegalese capital comes three weeks after the contested decision of a CAF appeal jury to strip Senegal of its African champion title obtained two months earlier on the field against Morocco on January 18 in Rabat (1-0 after extra time) and to approve the coronation of the Atlas Lions. This decision, rendered on March 17, provoked anger and indignation in Senegal, which filed an appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

“The main reason for my coming to Senegal is to express my commitment to collaborate with Senegalese leaders for the development of African football,” Patrice Motsepe said at a press conference. “We are aware that it has happened that decisions taken have not been in everyone's opinion. This is why we are trying to initiate reforms which will allow us to avoid all these types of situations in the future and to promote African football free of all these problems which can taint its fairness,” he continued.

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The South African leader of the African Confederation said he was confident that "at the end of all this, the 54 member countries of CAF will emerge more united and that African football will be more competitive and respected all over the world."

“Excellent exchanges” with the President of Senegal

Patrice Motsepe had previously been received by Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye with whom he had "excellent exchanges", he told the press.

On the evening of the final, January 18 in Rabat, the referee awarded a penalty to Morocco at the very end of the match after consulting the video assistance. Ulcerated by his decision, several Senegalese players left the field and the final descended into chaos and confusion. The Senegalese players finally returned to the field, Moroccan striker Brahim Diaz completely missed his penalty and Senegal won 1-0 on a goal from Pape Gueye during extra time.

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But in its decision of March 17, the CAF appeal jury declared the Senegal team "forfeited the final" due to the departure of the players and approved Morocco's victory by 3-0. The Senegalese Football Federation appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. No date has yet been set for this procedure. “Whatever decision the CAS takes, we will respect it,” assured Patrice Motsepe.

With AFP

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