The President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, arrived in Dakar on Wednesday, nearly a month after the governing body’s controversial decision to strip Senegal of its Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title and award it to Morocco.
Motsepe had announced the diplomatic visit at the end of March, confirming plans to travel to both Senegal and Morocco in a bid to ease tensions and reinforce the need for unity in African football. His visit comes as CAF faces mounting criticism over its handling of the AFCON final dispute.
During his stay, Motsepe is scheduled to meet with Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye at the presidential palace, followed by a press conference expected to address the growing controversy.
The tension stems from CAF’s shock ruling on March 17, which overturned Senegal’s 1-0 victory over hosts Morocco in the AFCON final played on January 18. CAF cited disciplinary regulations concerning abandonment of play, awarding Morocco a 3-0 win instead.
The dramatic turn of events followed a walk-off by Senegal’s players, head coach Pape Thiaw, and technical staff during added time in Rabat. The protest came after Morocco were awarded a late penalty, which was ultimately missed by forward Brahim Díaz.
Senegal’s Football Federation has since filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport, seeking to overturn CAF’s ruling. Meanwhile, the Senegalese government has escalated the matter, calling for an international investigation into alleged corruption within CAF.
Speaking on the issue last month, Motsepe maintained a neutral stance, stating: “I will respect and implement the CAS decision. My personal opinion regarding the matter is irrelevant.”
As tensions continue to rise, all eyes are now on Dakar, where Motsepe’s visit could play a crucial role in shaping the next chapter of this high-stakes football dispute.
