Morocco’s silence, Senegal’s anger and the politics poisoning football

By Maxwell Kumoye 

  

 

 

The final whistle of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations was supposed to mark the end of a tournament. Instead, it has opened a new front, one where football, politics and wounded pride are colliding in ugly fashion.

Senegal are champions of Africa. But in Morocco, the loss to the Teranga Lions has sparked a chain of actions that many see as unsporting, provocative and deeply troubling for the image of the game.

Nearly every Senegalese player who lifted the AFCON trophy received public congratulations from their clubs. Nearly every one—except Mamadou Lamine Camara.

Camara, a Senegal international who plays his club football with RS Berkane in Morocco, was met with silence. No message. No tribute. No acknowledgement of a historic achievement. 

In modern football, where clubs rush to bask in their players’ international success, the omission screamed louder than words.

CAF NOTICED

The continental body stepped in, publicly celebrating Camara on its CAF Champions League platform, a subtle but pointed reminder that African football belongs to everyone, not just bruised hosts nursing defeat. 

WHEN FOOTBALL BECOMES POLITICAL

Was it an innocent oversight? Few are buying that explanation.

The snub has only reinforced growing concerns that Morocco’s response to losing the AFCON final has drifted from disappointment into resentment. And it didn’t stop at social media silence.

Tensions escalated further with reports of Senegalese fans being detained by Moroccan authorities after the final, an incident serious enough to draw political intervention from Dakar. 

Senegal’s Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, is now heading to Morocco on an official visit, with the treatment of Senegalese supporters firmly on the agenda.

That alone tells you this is no longer just about football.

A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT

AFCON is meant to unite the continent. Players represent clubs across borders, fans travel freely, and victories are shared celebrations of African excellence. 

When a club fails to congratulate its own player for continental glory or when supporters are allegedly detained after a match it chips away at that unity.

Morocco has invested heavily in football infrastructure and continental ambition. But with ambition comes responsibility. Grace in defeat is not optional; it is a requirement.

Senegal won fairly. Their players deserve respect. Their fans deserve safety. And African football deserves better than grudges dressed up as protocol.

If this is how defeat is handled, then the real loss for Morocco may not be the AFCON trophy but credibility on the continental stage.