President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, on Wednesday arrived in Dakar, Senegal, amid rising tensions over the disputed outcome of the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final.
The visit comes weeks after CAF ruled that the Senegal national team forfeited their 1–0 victory against Morocco in the final held on January 18 in Rabat.
In a subsequent decision announced on March 17, CAF awarded Morocco a 3–0 win, citing match abandonment rules after Senegal’s players, officials, and coaching crew walked off the pitch following a late penalty awarded to Morocco. The penalty, taken by forward Brahim Díaz, was missed.
The ruling has sparked strong backlash in Senegal, with the Senegalese Football Federation confirming it has filed an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The Senegalese government has also called for an independent international probe into the circumstances surrounding CAF’s disciplinary decision.
Ahead of the trip, Motsepe disclosed plans to visit both Senegal and Morocco in a bid to ease tensions and foster unity within African football.
He said the purpose of the engagements is to strengthen cooperation across the continent, even as CAF faces mounting scrutiny over its governance and disciplinary processes.
During his stay in Dakar, Motsepe is expected to meet with Senegal’s president, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, at the presidential palace, followed by a press briefing.
Speaking earlier on the issue, Motsepe noted that CAF would abide by whatever verdict is delivered by CAS, stressing that his personal opinion does not influence the ongoing legal proceedings.
The high-profile visit highlights the sensitivity of the dispute, which has strained relations between Senegalese football authorities and CAF, while also raising broader concerns about consistency and transparency in football governance across Africa.
As the appeal process continues, the controversy remains one of the most closely followed issues in African football, with stakeholders awaiting a final resolution.