Patrice Motsepe, President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), has confirmed that Senegal retains the right to challenge the decision that stripped it of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title, stressing that no nation will receive special treatment during the appeal process.

In a video statement released by CAF, Motsepe noted that the right to appeal is fundamental and extends beyond the continent if necessary. “I’m informed that Senegal intends to appeal, which is very important. Every one of the 54 African nations has the right to pursue appeals, and we will honour decisions made at the highest level,” he said.

He acknowledged that the controversy surrounding the final has raised concerns about the credibility of African football, pointing out that it has undermined years of effort to build trust in the sport. “This situation affects the good work CAF has done over many years to ensure integrity, respect, and credibility,” Motsepe added.

CAF had overturned Senegal’s 1–0 victory in the final, awarding Morocco a 3–0 win after ruling that Senegal violated competition rules by leaving the pitch in protest over a penalty decision.

Motsepe described the incident as part of a long-standing challenge related to officiating and governance in African football. He highlighted ongoing reforms aimed at improving refereeing standards and disciplinary processes. He also reiterated CAF’s commitment to fairness, noting that no country will be treated preferentially.

With Senegal expected to take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the dispute is set to continue as CAF conducts internal reviews to address the gaps revealed by one of the most contentious finals in recent AFCON history.