Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe is expected in Senegal on Wednesday for talks with government and football officials, in a visit overshadowed by a lingering dispute over the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final.
Motsepe is scheduled to meet Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Senegal Football Federation (FSF) President Abdoulaye Fall in Dakar. Discussions are expected to cover football development, infrastructure and the fallout from the controversial AFCON final.
CAF stripped Senegal of the title following the match, awarding a 3-0 victory to Morocco after Senegal’s players briefly left the pitch in protest over a stoppage-time penalty decision. The team later returned after intervention from captain Sadio Mane.
Senegal had initially believed it had secured victory after extra time, with midfielder Pape Gueye scoring the decisive goal following a missed penalty by Morocco’s Brahim Diaz.
The FSF has appealed CAF’s ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and is awaiting a decision. The controversy has sparked strong reactions in Senegal, where officials and supporters maintain the title remains unresolved.
In a symbolic gesture, Senegal paraded the AFCON trophy at Parc des Princes in Paris ahead of a friendly against Peru, underscoring its stance on the issue.
Motsepe’s visit comes amid efforts to maintain relations with one of Africa’s leading football nations. Senegal’s influence in the continental game adds weight to the discussions, which could either ease tensions or prolong debate over the disputed final.
Despite the tensions, FSF President Fall struck a welcoming tone ahead of the visit. “Senegal is the land of Teranga. Teranga means hospitality,” he said, adding that Motsepe would be received as if in his “own country.”
