CAF president Patrice Motsepe has affirmed that the continent’s football governing body respects Senegal’s move to contest the ruling that stripped them of their AFCON crown.
Senegal were crowned champions of Africa after defeating hosts Morocco 1-0 in a controversial final earlier this year in Rabat.
However, that decision was overturned by the CAF’s appeal board, which awarded the title to the hosts – Morocco.
The Lions of Teranga have now turned to the Court of Arbitration for Sport [CAS], lodging a formal appeal. Senegal are also one of the nine African countries that have secured automatic qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Addressing the media following a CAF EXCO meeting in Cairo, Egypt, Motsepe says he will soon be visiting Senegal to offer them the governing body’s support.
CAF PRESIDENT TO VISIT BOTH SENEGAL AND MOROCCO TO OFFER HIS SUPPORT
“I will be visiting Senegal in the next few weeks to meet with the football leadership in Senegal and meet with the government,” he said.
“Our message is simple: we are deeply committed to cooperating and helping develop football in Senegal. We want to emphasise our commitment to, and our love for, the Senegalese people.”
MOTSEPE BACKS SENEGAL’S RIGHT TO PROTECT ITS INTERESTS
“The steps Senegal has taken to challenge the CAF Appeal Board’s decision at CAS are a move we fully respect. Every nation—whether it is Senegal, Morocco, Nigeria, or Cameroon—has a duty to protect its own interests.
“Football leadership must advance and safeguard the game within their borders. We are with you, and we support you. We are all Africans; we share a deep partnership with Senegal’s leadership, and I will be taking this same message of unity to Morocco.”
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