By Kazeem Ajibola Shoyebo
South Africa head coach Hugo Broos has criticised the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for what he described as inconsistency in applying its own rules, following the controversial decision to strip Senegal of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title and award it to Morocco.
Speaking in reaction to the ruling, Broos said Morocco should have been declared champions immediately after Senegal players reportedly left the pitch during the final, rather than months later. He argued that the delayed action has only deepened the controversy surrounding the decision.
“I think it is very painful for Senegal to lose the trophy to Morocco. However, leaving the pitch was not the right decision,” Broos said. “There are rules governing such situations, and I believe those rules should have been respected.”
The Belgian coach, who led South Africa, was particularly critical of CAF’s timing, questioning why the governing body waited nearly three months before taking action on an incident that occurred during the match.
“Why did CAF not react immediately after the match? Why did they wait for almost three months before taking action? This delay raises many questions,” he added.
Broos placed responsibility squarely on CAF rather than the teams involved, insisting that clearer and more decisive governance could have prevented the current dispute. According to him, had Senegal been sanctioned at the time for leaving the pitch for an extended period, the outcome would have been straightforward and less contentious.
The remarks, reported by SABC Sport, add to growing criticism of CAF’s handling of the situation, with stakeholders across the continent calling for greater consistency and transparency in disciplinary decisions.
The controversy continues to stir debate within African football, particularly over whether the authority of match officials should have remained final once play resumed, and whether retrospective decisions undermine the credibility of the competition.