By Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo, GNA
Tema, March 18, GNA – Dr Benjamin Anyagre Aziginaateeg, a Policy Analyst with the AfriKan Continental Union Consult (ACUC), has criticised the decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to overturn Senegal’s AFCON final victory, describing it as a politically motivated action that undermines African football integrity.
Dr Aziginaateeg said the decision, which seeks to reverse a match result nearly two months after it was decided on the pitch, raises serious concerns about fairness, transparency, and external influence in African sports governance.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), he maintained that football outcomes must be determined on the field of play, not through what he termed “closed-door boardroom manoeuvres”.
He explained that Senegal’s victory, secured during extra time through a decisive 94th-minute goal, was achieved under standard match conditions, with officiating by a recognised referee and oversight by match officials, making any post-match reversal unjustifiable.
“The game was played and won on the pitch. Attempting to overturn such a result long after the final whistle is a distortion of sporting justice,” he stated.
Dr Aziginaateeg further argued that the justification cited for the decision, reportedly linked to a temporary walk-off during the match, appeared to be a pretext rather than a substantive basis for annulling the outcome.
He warned that such actions, if left unchallenged, could set a dangerous precedent where administrative processes are used to override legitimate sporting achievements.
According to him, the development reflected a broader pattern of interference that threatens African unity and sovereignty, particularly in institutions that were expected to project continental identity and cohesion.
He described the situation as a “wake-up call” for African nations to critically examine governance structures within continental bodies such as CAF and ensure that they operate independently and in the best interest of the continent.
Dr Aziginaateeg called on African football stakeholders, including national associations and fans, to resist any decision that undermines merit-based competition and the credibility of the sport.
He also urged CAF to strengthen its governance systems by ensuring that disciplinary processes were transparent, timely, and consistent, rather than retroactive actions that erode public trust.
“Football remains one of the strongest unifying forces on the continent, and its credibility must be protected at all costs,” he said.
Dr Aziginaateeg reiterated ACUC’s solidarity with the Senegalese Football Federation, noting that the situation required a collective continental response to safeguard the integrity of African football.
GNA
Kenneth Odeng Adade