African football has witnessed its fair share of controversies, but rarely has there been a debacle as blatant as the one surrounding the organization of AFCON 2025. A series of biased decisions, flagrant favoritism, and glaring contradictions have turned this edition into a shameful mockery, exposing the deep rot within the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
First, Guinea was stripped of its hosting rights under the pretext that its stadiums would not be ready—three years before the tournament! Then, Algeria, with six fully operational world-class stadiums, was inexplicably sidelined in favor of Morocco, which still required major infrastructure work. And in the most absurd twist of all, the tournament was later postponed by an entire year because Morocco itself was not ready! And now, the tournament draw has taken place while the stadiums remain unfinished!
How can such blatant incompetence be justified? This is not just a scandal—it is a disgrace to African football.
2022: Guinea Humiliated and Unfairly Stripped of AFCON
In September 2022, CAF made a shocking announcement: Guinea would no longer host AFCON 2025 due to alleged delays in infrastructure development. The decision was made abruptly and without allowing the country sufficient time to complete its projects—despite the fact that the tournament was still three years away.
Were there delays? Perhaps. But since when has CAF been so strict? How many times in the past has AFCON been held in countries that were behind schedule, only for the final preparations to be rushed at the last moment? Why was Guinea not given the same chance?
The reality is clear: Guinea was deliberately removed from the picture, not because of its shortcomings, but to pave the way for others.
Algeria Snubbed in Favor of Morocco: A Rigged Selection Process
After Guinea was unfairly dismissed, CAF reopened the bidding process. Two serious contenders emerged: Algeria and Morocco.
Algeria was the obvious choice:
- Six modern, FIFA-approved stadiums ready to host international matches, including new facilities such as Nelson Mandela Stadium, Oran Stadium, Baraki Stadium, and Annaba Stadium.
- A fully prepared infrastructure with all necessary logistics in place.
- A passionate football culture with enthusiastic fans eager to host the tournament.
Morocco, on the other hand, still needed to upgrade its stadiums and complete major renovations. And yet, in a decision that defied all logic, CAF awarded the tournament to Morocco.
Why? What was the justification? If unfinished stadiums were enough to disqualify Guinea, why was the same standard not applied to Morocco?
This was not an oversight. This was an outright manipulation of the process, a clear case of double standards, and a scandalous display of favoritism.
The Ultimate Insult: AFCON Postponed Because Morocco Wasn’t Ready!
If Morocco’s selection over Algeria was already a disgrace, what happened next turned this fiasco into pure absurdity.
Soon after being awarded the tournament, it became apparent that Morocco was not ready. The very issue that had been used to punish Guinea and justify Algeria’s exclusion was suddenly brushed aside when it became inconvenient for Morocco.
CAF’s solution? Postpone AFCON by a full year.
An entire year granted to Morocco—a luxury denied to Guinea. An unprecedented decision that exposed CAF’s hypocrisy beyond any doubt.
Had Algeria been given the hosting rights, the tournament would have taken place as originally scheduled, without delays, without chaos. But instead, CAF chose to bend the rules to protect its preferred candidate, proving once again that African football’s governing body operates on something other than merit and fairness.
A Tournament Draw for a Competition Without Stadiums
By January 2025, the farce had reached a new peak: CAF proceeded with the AFCON qualifying draw despite the fact that Morocco’s stadiums were still incomplete!
What kind of organization plans an international tournament without ensuring that the infrastructure will be ready? How can CAF continue to operate with such blatant disregard for professionalism and transparency?
This is no longer a case of mismanagement—it is a deliberate betrayal of African football.
CAF on Trial: African Football Held Hostage by Corruption and Favoritism
The disgraceful handling of AFCON 2025 is the clearest evidence yet that CAF is at its lowest point. No transparency, no fairness, no accountability.
- Guinea was unfairly stripped of its hosting rights.
- Algeria was denied the tournament despite being the most prepared nation.
- Morocco, despite not being ready, was given hosting rights and an additional year to prepare.
- As of 2025, we are still waiting for the stadiums to be completed.
Is this how African football should be managed? How can nations trust CAF when its decisions are clearly influenced by factors unrelated to sports? If tournament organization is dictated by politics and backroom deals rather than merit, what future does African football have?
African football deserves better. It deserves a governing body that values fair play, transparency, and integrity. But as long as CAF continues on this corrupt path, the continent’s football will remain shackled by scandal after scandal, while the true fans of the game suffer the consequences.
This is not just a scandal—it is a historic stain on the credibility of CAF.
The question now is clear: When will African football finally break free from the grip of corruption and favoritism?
Comments
Post a Comment