AFCON Final Chaos: FFI Calls for Greater Sportsmanship
KAMPALA – The Africa Cup of Nations 2025 final between Senegal and hosts Morocco will be remembered as much for its on-pitch controversy as for Senegal's hard-fought 1-0 victory in extra time.
The Controversial Moments
With the score locked at 0-0 in added time, a late penalty awarded to Morocco sparked outrage among Senegal players, who believed the decision was unjust. Frustration boiled over, leading to a 16-minute walk-off in protest before play resumed under heavy pressure. Morocco's Brahim Díaz then missed the resulting spot-kick, and Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal in extra time to secure Senegal's second AFCON title.
Why Fair Play Matters
For the Former Footballers Initiative, incidents like these serve as powerful teaching moments. Football's beauty lies in its unpredictability, but its integrity depends on accepting refereeing decisions, even when they appear wrong, and continuing to compete with dignity. Walking off the pitch, however understandable the emotion, risks setting a damaging precedent for young players across the continent, including in Uganda.
The Cranes' own proud history, from the Golden Generation of the 1970s to more recent campaigns, has always been built on resilience and respect for the game. Moments of high tension test character, and how stakeholders respond shapes the sport's future.
Voices from FFI
Tom Lwanga, FFI Honorary member and former Uganda Cranes defender, said: “We fully understand the pain of a questionable decision in a final, but abandoning the pitch crosses a line. Fair play is not just about opponents, it is about solidarity with the game itself. Our young players are watching.”
Walusimbi Wooto, FFI Executive National Coordinator, added: “Life after football teaches us perspective. Refereeing errors are part of the human element we all love. What endures is how we conduct ourselves under pressure. The FFI is committed to mentoring the next generation to handle adversity with grace.”
Looking Ahead
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is expected to review the incident, but the deeper responsibility lies with players, coaches, officials, and fans to uphold the spirit of the game. Uganda's football community, through initiatives like FFI, can lead by example; promoting education programmes that emphasise sportsmanship alongside skill.
By learning from yesterday's drama, African football can emerge stronger, ensuring that triumphs are celebrated for their quality, not overshadowed by controversy.
