Will this meeting ease the tensions? As announced, Patrice Motsepe, CAF President, touched down in Dakar early Wednesday, nearly a month after the governing body controversially awarded Morocco the CAN 2025 title—despite losing 0-1 in extra time to Senegal’s Teranga Lions on the field. The decision, made on March 17, sparked widespread outrage in Senegal, where fans and officials alike questioned the fairness of the process.

Motsepe had previously stated at the end of March that he would travel to both Senegal and Morocco to emphasize the need to “collaborate for the growth of African football”, despite mounting criticism against the CAF. He landed at Blaise Diagne International Airport late Tuesday, where he was greeted by Abdoulaye Fall, President of Senegal’s Football Federation (FSF).

According to a CAF statement, the football leader’s itinerary includes a visit to Gorée Island—a historic site symbolizing the transatlantic slave trade—before meeting with Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. A press conference is scheduled for 5:30 PM local time (GMT) in a Dakar hotel.

Senegal’s government demands answers

The visit comes at a particularly tense moment following CAF’s controversial decision to revoke Senegal’s title in favor of Morocco. This followed the chaotic final in Rabat in January, where Senegalese players walked off the pitch for 15 minutes after an injury-time penalty was controversially awarded to Morocco, despite an earlier disallowed Senegalese goal. The penalty was ultimately missed by Brahim Diaz, who attempted a cheeky chip, and Senegal went on to win in extra time.

On March 17, CAF’s Appeals Jury declared Senegal “forfeited in the final,” officially handing Morocco a 3-0 victory based on Articles 82 and 84 of the competition’s regulations. Senegal’s Football Federation, which only received the Appeals Jury’s decision three weeks later, has since appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), with a ruling expected at an unspecified future date.

The CAF’s decision has triggered strong reactions across the West African nation. In a March 18 statement, the Senegalese government demanded an international investigation into “suspected corruption within the governing body’s leadership.” Motsepe responded by denying any preferential treatment toward specific nations and asserting the independence of the disciplinary bodies.