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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) chief Patrice Motsepe arrived in Dakar this week, marking his first visit to Senegal since the body’s controversial decision to strip the nation of its Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) crown and hand it to Morocco.Motsepe announced the itinerary at the end of March, pledging to meet leaders in both countries to stress the need for "working together to grow African football" as CAF confronts mounting criticism.President Bassirou Diomaye Faye is scheduled to receive Motsepe at the presidential palace, followed by a joint news conference intended to calm tensions.The visit comes in the wake of CAF’s surprise reversal of the January 18 final, where Senegal had defeated hosts Morocco 1‑0. Citing a breach of regulations concerning players leaving the field, CAF retroactively recorded a 3‑0 victory for Morocco on March 17.During the match in Rabat, Senegal’s squad, head coach Pape Thiaw and staff walked off after Morocco were awarded an added‑time penalty, which forward Brahim Diaz ultimately missed.In response, the Senegalese Football Federation lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), while the Senegalese government demanded an international probe into alleged corruption within CAF.Motsepe, speaking late last month, affirmed that he would respect and implement the CAS ruling, adding that his personal view on the matter was “irrelevant.”

Veron Mosengo-Omba, the general secretary of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), has resigned from his position, citing a desire to focus on personal projects. His departure comes at a turbulent time for African football, with a growing crisis of confidence in CAF's leadership.Mosengo-Omba's resignation follows repeated calls for his removal and criticism of his continued role in the organization beyond the mandatory retirement age of 63. An investigation into allegations of creating a toxic work environment had previously cleared him of wrongdoing.The controversy surrounding Mosengo-Omba's tenure includes the decision to strip Senegal of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, which has sparked outrage and calls for an international investigation into CAF's governance. Senegal's government has demanded a probe into the organization's integrity.Mosengo-Omba, a 66-year-old Swiss citizen of Congolese origin and former FIFA employee, is expected to run for the post of president of the Democratic Republic of Congo's football federation. This move could potentially position him for a future bid for CAF's top job, should current president Dr. Patrice Motsepe step down.In a statement, Mosengo-Omba expressed gratitude to CAF's president and teams, stating that he can retire 'with peace of mind and without constraint, leaving CAF more prosperous than ever.'CAF has announced that its competitions director, Samson Adamu, will take over as acting general secretary following Mosengo-Omba's departure.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe has stated that he will respect and implement the decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Senegal's appeal against being stripped of their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title. The controversy began after Morocco was awarded a 3-0 victory over Senegal in the final, following a disputed penalty.Motsepe emphasized that his personal opinion on the matter is irrelevant and that the appeal board consists of independent judges and lawyers. The CAF president plans to visit Senegal and Morocco to stress the importance of 'working together to grow African football' and implement changes to ensure that similar incidents are not repeated.In a related development, CAF official Veron Mosengo-Omba has resigned as general secretary, citing his decision to devote himself to more personal projects. Mosengo-Omba had been a divisive figure at CAF, accused by some employees of creating a toxic work environment.Motsepe also announced that Nigeria-born CAF official Samson Adamu will become the caretaker general secretary of the organization. The changes come at a turbulent time for African football, with CAF implementing changes to strengthen trust and confidence in referees, VAR operators, and judicial bodies.

Véron Mosengo-Omba, the general secretary of the Confederation of African Football (Caf), has resigned after repeated calls for his removal and at a turbulent time for African football. His departure comes amid a crisis of confidence in the organisation's leadership, largely due to the decision to strip Senegal of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) title and allegations of corruption.Mosengo-Omba, 66, said he was retiring but his exit follows a period of intense criticism of his tenure, including accusations of creating a toxic workplace culture at Caf. An investigation into staff complaints had previously cleared him of wrongdoing. He is of Congolese origin but a Swiss citizen and a former Fifa employee.In a statement, Mosengo-Omba said: 'After over 30 years of an international professional career dedicated to promoting an ideal form of football that brings people together, educates, and creates opportunities for hope, I have decided to step down from my position as secretary general of Caf to devote myself to more personal projects.'He expressed gratitude to Caf's president, Dr Patrice Motsepe, and his teams, and hoped that the progress made during his tenure would 'last and be sustained'. Mosengo-Omba is expected to run for the post of president of the Democratic Republic of Congo's football federation.The controversy surrounding Caf's leadership has led to Senegal's government calling for an international investigation into the organisation. Caf's competitions director, Samson Adamu, will take over as acting general secretary.Earlier this month, Motsepe admitted that Caf was struggling with questions over its integrity. The organisation is set to expand the Africa Cup of Nations to 28 teams from 24, with plans to introduce a Nations League annually from 2029.

Morocco's national football team has moved on from the controversy surrounding their award of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, despite Senegal's ongoing appeals to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The Atlas Lions lost 1-0 to Senegal in the January final but were awarded a 3-0 victory last week due to several Senegalese players leaving the pitch in protest at a penalty. In their first match since the final and the controversial decision, Morocco drew 1-1 against Ecuador in a friendly in Madrid, under the guidance of new coach Mohamed Ouahbi. Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou emphasized the team's focus on future matches, stating, 'We're focused on what's to come and not getting into that [topic].' The team's supporters also expressed their satisfaction with the decision, with one fan saying, 'If someone says there are regulations, you have to follow them.' With 25 matches unbeaten, Morocco is looking forward to the 2026 World Cup, where they will face record five-time World Cup winners Brazil in their first game. The team's coach, Ouahbi, highlighted the strength of his team, saying, 'I don't talk in terms of weaknesses. We're a top-level team – the Ecuadorian coach reminded us of that.'

Senegal's national football team, the Lions of Teranga, showcased the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy to a crowd of 70,000 at the Stade de France in Paris ahead of a friendly match against Peru. This display comes despite the controversy surrounding their initial 1-0 win in the final against Morocco in January, which was later overturned by CAF due to a mid-game walk-off by Senegalese players.The team's captain, Kalidou Koulibaly, and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy led the parade, taking the trophy to the stadium's presidential box where it was placed in front of Abdoulaye Fall, the president of the Senegalese Football Federation. The event was attended by thousands of Senegalese supporters, who were joined by Peruvian fans and even Bally Bagayoko, the newly elected mayor of Saint-Denis, who praised the team's unity and spirit.The controversy began when Senegal's players left the field in protest over a penalty awarded to Morocco, which was later missed. The match eventually ended 1-0 in Senegal's favor with a goal from Pape Gueye in extra time. Morocco appealed the result, and CAF's appeals panel awarded them a 3-0 win and the title. Senegal has since announced plans to appeal to CAF and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), a process that could take up to a year.The Senegalese government has also called for an independent international inquiry into CAF's decision, citing allegations of corruption. This development has added to the tension between Senegal and Morocco, with the two nations set to remain locked in a dispute over the AFCON title.Despite the controversy, the Senegalese team's display of the trophy was seen as a celebration of their on-field victory and a show of unity among the players, fans, and the community. The friendly match against Peru was the team's first since the AFCON final, and they are now preparing for the World Cup, where they will face France, Norway, and either Bolivia or Iraq.

Issa Diop's international debut for Morocco has added a new twist to the ongoing dispute between Senegal and Morocco over the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title. The Fulham defender, born in France, had his application to switch nationality to Morocco approved by FIFA on Thursday and was immediately drafted into the starting lineup for Morocco's 1-1 draw against Ecuador in Madrid on Friday.Diop's switch is seen as a public relations coup for Morocco, who have been actively courting players with links to the country to improve their national team. The 29-year-old, whose father is Senegalese and mother is Moroccan, had previously rejected overtures from both countries to play for them while holding out hope he might represent France.Diop said he was happy to play in a team with good players and thinks he's made a good choice. He had talks with Morocco's new coach, Mohamed Ouahbi, and Moroccan Federation President Fouzi Lekjaa, who explained their vision to him and welcomed him with open arms.The dispute between Senegal and Morocco centers around the AFCON final, where Senegal walked off the pitch in protest at a potentially decisive penalty awarded to Morocco. Senegal was subsequently stripped of the title and Morocco declared winners. Senegal has formally contested the decision and referred the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.Senegal continues to assert its claim to the title, with the team holding a news conference before a friendly match against Peru, featuring a banner that read 'Champions of Africa'. They are also expected to display the Cup of Nations trophy to supporters before the match.

Senegal's national football team took to the pitch at the Stade de France with the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) trophy, defiantly displaying their claim to the title despite being stripped of it earlier this month. The team, led by coach Pape Thiaw, paraded the trophy before their World Cup warm-up game against Peru, which they won 2-0.Nicolas Jackson scored four minutes before half-time and Ismaïla Sarr added a second in the 54th minute as Senegal secured their first win since January's Cup of Nations final. The team's captain, Kalidou Koulibaly, and his teammates came out on to the pitch with the Afcon trophy for a lap of honour after a pre-match concert by the Senegalese singer Youssou N'Dour.Senegal have launched a legal battle against the decision to strip them of the trophy and award it to Morocco. The Caf appeal board awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory on 17 March because Senegal staged a 14-minute walk-off during January's final in Rabat in protest against the award of a penalty to the hosts in added time immediately after Senegal had had a goal ruled out.Coach Pape Thiaw emphasized that his team considers themselves African champions, stating, 'We know we're African champions. We're going to keep working to win more trophies. It's clear in our minds that competitions and trophies are won on the pitch.'Thiaw also highlighted the importance of not getting distracted by the controversy, saying, 'The most important thing is not to get distracted.' Senegal lodged an appeal this week with the Swiss-based court of arbitration for sport.In a related development, Morocco drew 1-1 against Ecuador on Friday in a friendly in Madrid, their first match since the final and the controversial decision to punish Senegal. Morocco's coach, Mohamed Ouahbi, expressed satisfaction with the draw against the 'African champions,' highlighting the strength of his team.

Senegal's football governing body has vowed to mount a crusade against the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) decision to strip the country of its African Cup of Nations (AFCON) title. The CAF's ruling was made after Senegal walked off the pitch in protest at a potentially decisive penalty awarded to Morocco in the final.The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has lodged an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the decision, with its legal team warning that the case could reshape the world of football and undermine the principle that refereeing decisions are final."This decision cannot even be considered a true sporting justice ruling – it is so crude, so absurd, so irrational," lawyer Juan de Dios Crespo Perez, representing Senegal's ruling body, told a news conference on Thursday.The FSF president, Abdoulaye Fall, said: "In the face of this administrative robbery, the FSF refuses fatality. We will fight a moral and legal crusade."Senegal's legal team has gathered international lawyers from Switzerland, Spain, France, and Senegal to plead the case, with lawyer Seydou Diagne saying the country suffered a "betrayal" and that they are asking CAS to speed up the process.