An in-depth investigation by Le Monde into the AFCON 2025 Final has raised serious concerns within the global football community, casting a shadow over Senegal’s celebrated triumph.
The report, based on confidential submissions from key Confederation of African Football officials—including the match referee, commissioner, and general coordinator—alleges that Senegal’s conduct during the closing stages of the match contravened established regulations.
Central to the findings is the claim that Senegal’s team, the “Lions of Teranga,” left the pitch in the 97th minute on the directive of head coach Pape Thiaw.
According to CAF rules, any voluntary withdrawal from play constitutes an automatic forfeiture.
Additionally, the investigation suggests there may have been efforts to manage the match’s conclusion to preserve its public image, including alleged instructions to the referee not to issue red cards to two Senegalese players during the restart.
Should the matter be upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the outcome of the final could be subject to review, potentially leading to a reversal of the result.
The situation has sparked broader debate around adherence to sporting integrity and the enforcement of football regulations at the highest level.
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.
