Former Kwesi Nyantakyi has criticised the decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to overturn the result of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, warning that the move could set what he describes as a “dangerous precedent” for football governance across the continent.
The controversy follows CAF’s ruling to strip Senegal of the AFCON title and instead award the trophy to Morocco after an appeal. The decision came after a dramatic final in which Senegal players briefly walked off the pitch in protest of a contentious penalty decision before returning to complete the match, which they initially won. However, CAF’s Appeals Board later ruled that the protest violated tournament regulations and awarded Morocco a 3–0 victory.
Reacting to the development, Nyantakyi argued that the ruling undermines the authority of match officials and could damage the integrity of football competitions in Africa. He maintained that since the match resumed and was completed under the referee’s supervision, the final result on the field should have been upheld.
According to him, emotional reactions by players in high-stakes games — including protests or temporary walkouts — do not automatically amount to a serious offence that warrants forfeiture of a match. He stressed that under the Laws of the Game, the referee remains the “judge of facts,” and once the official allows the match to continue to its conclusion, that decision should be respected.
Nyantakyi further questioned the legal basis of the CAF Appeals Board’s decision, suggesting that certain disciplinary provisions may have been misapplied. He warned that if match outcomes can be altered after the final whistle through administrative processes, it could erode confidence among teams, supporters, and sponsors.
The ruling has sparked widespread debate across African football, with several officials and observers expressing concern about the potential impact on the credibility of the sport. Senegal’s football authorities have already indicated their intention to challenge the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), raising the possibility of a prolonged legal battle over the title.
Nyantakyi concluded that while rules must be respected, they must also be applied consistently and transparently to protect the integrity of the game and the reputation of African football on the global stage.
