By Our Correspondent

National News – Former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has voiced strong criticism of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following its controversial decision to award Morocco the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title.

The ruling overturned Senegal’s extra-time 1-0 victory after the team walked off the pitch in protest during the final.

Troost-Ekong described the decision as “deeply saddening” and said no African player should feel comfortable celebrating a trophy not earned on the field.

Troost-Ekong, who led Nigeria to the 2023 AFCON final, emphasized the importance of fair play and sporting integrity.

“When I first heard the news, I thought it was a joke,” he said, reflecting on how trophies must be decided on the pitch.

He added that he would feel ashamed to celebrate a title awarded in such circumstances and sympathized with Senegalese players, acknowledging the emotional toll of having a victory stripped away.

CAF’s Appeals Board ruled on March 17 that Senegal breached Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations, declaring a 3-0 forfeit in favor of Morocco.

The decision comes nearly two months after the January 18 final and is now set to be appealed at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, a process that could take up to a year.

The former defender warned that such post-match reversals undermine trust in African football competitions.

Troost-Ekong’s stance highlights broader concerns about governance and fairness in CAF tournaments, calling for transparency and consistency in enforcing rules.

Fans and players alike are divided over the ruling, with many supporting Senegal’s claim to the title earned on the field.

CAF’s ruling continues to generate intense debate across African football circles, illustrating the challenges of balancing regulations and the spirit of the game.

Troost-Ekong’s comments reaffirm the belief that victories should reflect performance on the pitch, not administrative decisions.