Last night was the football/soccer final of the African Cup Of Nations (AFCON) 2026, between Morocco and Senegal. It was really something! The drama that ensued is something I've never seen in all my years (about 20 years) of watching football.
You should have seen it.
It was really something but quite embarrassing at the same time.
Morocco was the host nation for this year's tournament and most of the spectators would tell you that they smelt a fish and smelt it throughout the entire tournament. I'm also of that position, I smelt a fish to the extent it is something I can swear to.
What I mean is, throughout the tournament it seemed Morocco was up to something suspicious, the referees were always biased in their favour. I think almost everyone who watched the tournament thinks so.
The referees would always call a foul for almost any little thing that happens against the Moroccans and when that same thing happens in favour of the Moroccans the referee would not call a foul. Almost every important referee decision was going the way of the Moroccans.
We all know officiating is not easy and the difference between a foul and a non foul, the difference between a decision that should go in your favour and one that shouldn't, can be tricky at times. But some of these were clear as day, and the pattern was so recognizable.
If something happens once it might be a mistake, but if it happens twice, thrice and up to ten times, nah..
Nigeria met Morocco in the semi finals, that was a match I watched with all the attention I could muster, and I can say it was so glaring there. I watched last night's match with similar alacrity and it wasn't in doubt either.
Just few minutes left in the match and Senegal scored a goal but the referee cancelled the goal because a player was fouled just before the goal, the foul - quite controversial but I wouldn't call that a foul, hardly anyone agreed that was a foul, but the referee called it.
Soon after, at the very last minute a similar foul was committed against the Moroccans in the 18 yard box and the referee called it a foul and penalty, at the very last minute. Senegal couldn't take it anymore, especially because their own goal was just cancelled for a controversial foul just a minute or two ago.
There was drama!
Senegal was not going to accept the decision, the players, coach, staff, everybody protesting. Arguments here and there on the pitch, some very heated, some requiring intervention by the clearer headed people around. This went on and on for about 10 minutes.
Then the Senegal coach asked all the Senegal players to walk away from the pitch in protest. They did, and there were a lot of discussions and talking all around. Then they all came back and accepted the decision.
The penalty was taken but caught by the keeper because it was a very poorly taken penalty, the taker attempted a trick called "Panenka" , where a player rushes to kick the ball with speed to make the goal keeper expect a fiery shot, only to kick a slow shot that rolls into the net because the keeper has been fooled and already dived.
It was such a shock. Up till now we don't know what to make of that miss, but there's a theory that makes sense:
The theory is that the teams reached a gentleman agreement during the drama that the decision should be accepted for appearance and the player would make it easy for the keeper to catch so that nobody wins or loses due to the decision.
This is just a theory but it makes so much sense I'm inclined to believe it. Because what else could have made Senegal accept the decision when just now they were ready to walk away? Also it was a shock that someone would go for that trick at the last minute of a final.
It's possible the theory is wrong, though, but we'll probably never find out.
After the miss the teams headed into 30 minutes of extra time where Senegal won by 1-0, that absolutely made my night! Because I was sure Morocco was cheating throughout the tournament and it was great that it did not lead to them winning the trophy.
Phew! 😅 🎊
The End
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