Former Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo has faulted the Confederation of African Football’s decision to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title, describing the move as a setback for the growth and reputation of African football.
CAF recently upheld a petition filed by the Moroccan Football Federation, resulting in the annulment of Senegal’s victory in the AFCON final played in January. The continental body based its ruling on a breach of regulations after Senegal’s players briefly walked off the pitch during the closing stages of the match in protest against a penalty awarded to the host nation.
Reacting to the development during a radio programme alongside former international Ifeanyi Udeze, Ighalo said the decision could have wider implications beyond the immediate controversy.
He warned that the ruling risks undermining the credibility of the competition and could reopen criticism from international figures who have previously questioned the status of the tournament.
The former forward pointed to remarks made by ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, who had in the past described AFCON as inferior to competitions such as the European Championship and Copa America.
According to Ighalo, the decision has inadvertently strengthened such narratives, giving critics fresh grounds to question the value of African football’s flagship tournament.
“This AFCON took us ten steps forward, but this decision drags us backward,” he said, adding that it provides leverage for those who seek to speak negatively about the competition.
He further noted that African players and stakeholders have consistently defended the importance of AFCON on the global stage, but decisions of this nature risk eroding that progress and diminishing the tournament’s standing.
The development has continued to generate reactions across the football community, with discussions ongoing over the implications of CAF’s ruling and its potential impact on the integrity of the competition.
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