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Former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has strongly criticised the decision to award the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title to Morocco, describing the ruling as deeply troubling and difficult to accept, Footynaija reports.
African football’s governing body, Confederation of African Football, took the unprecedented step of stripping Senegal of their victory and handing the trophy to Morocco weeks after the final had been played. The decision followed an appeal which found Senegal in breach of competition regulations after players briefly left the pitch during the match.
Reacting to the verdict, Troost-Ekong admitted his disbelief at the development and questioned the integrity of celebrating such a title.
“When I first heard the news that the result of this year’s AFCON final between Senegal and Morocco had been overturned, I thought it was a joke,” Troost-Ekong told The Athletic.
“When I realised it was actually real, after reading the official statement from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), it just made me feel quite sad.”
The defender, who captained Nigeria’s Super Eagles to the 2023 final, insisted that trophies must be earned on the pitch rather than decided in boardrooms.
“Every African player wants to win this tournament but would I celebrate now if I was in Morocco’s shoes? Absolutely not. I would feel ashamed to win like this. It wouldn’t feel right. You have to earn it on the pitch. I don’t think I would be able to accept it, but if you publicly decline a medal or trophy then that also becomes a circus. It definitely can’t be celebrated.”
CAF’s ruling was based on tournament regulations which state that any team that leaves the field without the referee’s permission forfeits the match. Senegal had briefly walked off in protest after a controversial penalty decision, although they later returned to complete the game, which they won after extra time.
The decision has also raised questions about whether it conflicts with the authority of International Football Association Board, whose laws state that results determined on the field of play are final.
Troost-Ekong drew on his own experience to underline how painful such retrospective decisions can be for players.
“I captained Nigeria in the AFCON final two years ago, which we lost 2-1 to the hosts Ivory Coast. I would never go back and change the outcome of a final I was in and lost. I wouldn’t want to change it.
“I would be so upset to play in a tournament and for the result to be changed afterwards. Senegal will always claim they are the winners, and I would do the exact same thing, but other people will question that now. I can’t imagine how those players are feeling.”
Senegal are expected to challenge the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, meaning the final outcome of the tournament may yet change again.
