South Africa Backs Senegal in AFCON Title Dispute – Eduzim News

Sports Correspondent – South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Gayton McKenzie, has pledged legal support to Senegal as the country challenges the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) ruling to revoke their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title.

The CAF Appeals Board ruled that Senegal violated Article 84 of the AFCON regulations, citing a protest led by coach Pape Bouna Thiaw over a late penalty awarded to Morocco. During the incident, Thiaw briefly instructed his players to leave the field before captain Sadio Mané intervened.

Morocco’s Ibrahim Díaz took the penalty, which was saved by goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, with Senegal ultimately winning 1–0 after extra time on the field.

Despite the on-pitch result, Senegal confirmed that they are appealing the CAF decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Speaking to SABC Sport, McKenzie expressed strong support:
“We must not beat around the bush. Senegal are the African champions because football games are not won in the boardroom. We will stand by Senegal and assist them; we’ve got top lawyers in this country that will help out.”

McKenzie also criticised Morocco over issues surrounding the upcoming Women’s AFCON (WAFCON), accusing the country of unfair treatment of women’s football:

“As far as the WAFCON is concerned, we have to be honest, why do they treat women in such a fashion? They would never do that to the men’s game, so why do the women not know what’s happening a month before the tournament starts?

We will not be held hostage by Morocco. South Africa has much more than Morocco; we are a bigger country with a bigger economy and bigger stadiums, so I’m saying that we are ready to host WAFCON.”

South Africa’s intervention signals a high-profile continental support for Senegal as the appeal process unfolds, highlighting ongoing tensions in African football governance.

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