The President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, has reaffirmed Senegal’s right to appeal the controversial decision that stripped the country of its Africa Cup of Nations 2025 title, insisting that no nation will receive preferential treatment in the process.

Motsepe made this known in a video interview published by Confederation of African Football on Wednesday, addressing the fallout from the disputed final between Senegal and Morocco.

According to him, Senegal is expected to challenge the ruling, a move he described as essential within the framework of football governance. He noted that all 54 CAF member nations have the right to seek redress through established channels, including escalating matters to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the highest adjudicating body in global sport.

Motsepe emphasised that CAF would respect the final outcome of any such process.

The CAF president, however, acknowledged that the controversy surrounding the final has dented confidence in African football, describing the situation as a setback to years of work aimed at strengthening integrity, ethics and governance within the game.

He expressed disappointment over the incidents that occurred during the final, noting that they have undermined the credibility of match outcomes and highlighted persistent concerns about officiating standards.

Motsepe said the issues exposed by the match are part of longstanding challenges within African football, particularly regarding the perceived independence and impartiality of referees and match officials.

He added that the situation has also renewed scrutiny of CAF’s judicial structures, especially following conflicting decisions by its disciplinary and appeals bodies.

In response, Motsepe outlined reforms introduced under his leadership, including a revised process for appointing members of CAF’s judicial bodies. He explained that member associations and regional zones are now invited to nominate qualified judges and legal professionals to enhance transparency and independence.

Despite these measures, he admitted that perceptions of bias remain an ongoing concern, stressing that rebuilding trust will require consistent fairness in decision-making.

Motsepe reiterated that ensuring equality among all member nations remains a fundamental principle.

“A critical factor is that not a single country in Africa will be treated in a more favourable manner than another,” he said.

He further disclosed that CAF has commenced internal reviews following the controversial final, aimed at addressing identified shortcomings and strengthening governance frameworks.

Motsepe concluded that the ultimate test of CAF’s credibility lies in public perception, stressing that football fans across the continent must view the decisions of its judicial bodies as fair, impartial and transparent.