Former England international Nigel Reo-Coker has described the handling of the AFCON 2025 Final controversy as an embarrassment to African football.
READ ALSO: ‘Titles Must Be Won on the Pitch!’ Udi Slams CAF Over Morocco AFCON Decision
The decision by the Confederation of African Football to overturn the result and award the title to Morocco national team after initially being won by Senegal national team has sparked widespread criticism.
Reo-Coker said the situation only reinforces long-standing negative perceptions about African football on the global stage.
“This is an embarrassment to African football,” he said.
According to him, controversies like this give critics more reasons to question the credibility of the Africa Cup of Nations, a tournament that has often been undervalued in global football discussions.
“It feeds into the negative narratives people already have,” he added.
The former midfielder warned that such incidents could damage the reputation of African football administration and overshadow the progress made in recent years.
“It risks damaging the image of the competition,” he stated.
Reo-Coker emphasized the need for better governance, transparency, and consistency in decision-making to protect the integrity of African football.
He concluded by urging CAF to learn from the situation and ensure that future tournaments are handled in a way that reflects the true quality and prestige of the game on the continent.
