Africa is fully corrupt

Yesterday, it was confirmed that Senegal would be stripped of the Afcon title 2 months after the final whistle. We knew that the tournament was corrupt but we didn’t think it was this bad. In this article we will be discussing the final, my opinion and others opinions.

It all started on a cold winter’s night in January, Senegal are facing Morroco, the host nation. It felt like Morocco had every decision go their way and tonight this would be confirmed to the world.

The game started off alright with still loads of decisions going Morrocos way. But in the 100th minute is when we saw one of the worst refereeing decisions I’ve seen since Diaz vs Tottenham.

The penalty awarded to Morroco

The Senegalese players were obviously outraged by this and the Senegal manager told his players to walk off the pitch. While the players were down the tunnel, the Senegalese fans began what I could only describe as rioting.

Senegal fans rioting

It took the Senegalese players 15 minutes to come down the tunnel and play the rest of the game. That was from a strong convincing from the captain and their greatest player ever, Sadio Mane. However all that build up was short lived as Brahim Diaz took the worst penalty I’ve ever seen and missed sending the game to extra time.

In extra time however, Papa Gueye won it and Senegal lifted up the trophy.

After the game however. Morroco went to the CAF crying like the babies they are saying that Senegal cheated. So for the CAF they had 4 options A. Replay the match B. Have Senegal forfeit C. Fine them for misconduct or D. Ignore it entirely. You would think that C or D are smartest options due to the way the fans acted or Players coming off the Pitch. But they went for B.

In my personal opinion I still think it’s a disgrace. You have seen one of the most rigged tournaments in human history and yet some people are still surprised they did. From the first game there were 2 extremely soft penalties awarded to Morroco and they had been changing the referees to better suit them the entire tournament. However, I do see where they are coming from. You can’t walk off the pitch and down the tunnel just because you don’t like a decision. They could’ve just sat on the bench in protest like Vini did but at the end of the day it is still disgraceful.

Now I want to share with you some perspectives from some of my Good friends. My best friend said “It’s an absolute disgrace because you can’t just change the outcome of a game 2 months after” my other friend Nouman said “it’s a disgrace to the whole of Africa” however my dad said “reports coming out of Africa suggested that the tournament was favoured to the hosts Morocco. I don’t know if there is any basis to that but the rumours still persist which suggests there is something to it. I think it was 2 of the worst decisions I’ve ever seen at the end of the game that led to Senegal leaving the field. Having said that despite Mane’s heroics of allowing the players to come back on the field the damage was done, not only to the reputation of Sengal but the validity of the final. The rule is that a team must have at least 7 players remaining on the field otherwise the game is abandoned. I feel the players going to the dressing room means they left the field and game should have been awarded to Morroco. Once it was decided to continue then it was deemed that Senegal’s actions didn’t call in that rule (which is the refs decision) and the Match result stands I.e Senegal are champions. This story is not over but it has and continues to be a stain on of the most progressive and exciting international tournaments.”

Not matter what the media tries to tell you or what scoreboard says on Flashscore or Sky Sports just remember when a ball was kicked, Brahim Diaz missed a penalty and Papa Gueye scored the winner no matter what. 90 minutes doesn’t just disappear like that. Tell the true story not the one they want you to believe.