AFCON 2025 Controversial Final: Aminu Maigari hails CAF, faults Senegal
By Nasiru Abdullahi Kobi.
The former President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Aminu Maigari, has applauded the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for what he describe as the successful hosting of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) .
Maigari commended the continental football governing body for the success recorded at the recently concluded tournament held in Morocco.
He said despite some challenges witnessed during the tournament, CAF has performed tremendously well, he said.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Sahel Sports, Newspaper , in Bauchi , Maigari was full of praises for CAF , for its efforts in managing issues that could have resulted in what he foresees as a possibly route to “a major disgrace to African football,” particularly during the final match of the competition.
According to him, organising a tournament of such magnitude naturally comes with challenges, but CAF demonstrated capacity and responsibility in addressing them promptly.
Maigari specifically highlighted the disciplinary actions taken against some clubs and players, noting that such measures would serve as a deterrent to others and help prevent similar incidents in future competitions.
However, the former NFF President condemned the conduct of the eventual winners, Senegal, for walking out of the pitch in protest against a penalty awarded to Morocco.
“They should not have walked out of the field. The behaviour was unnecessary and uncalled for,” he said.
Reacting to Morocco’s recent threat to pull out of CAF, Maigari stated that the country has no right to withdraw unilaterally.
“This is an African Organisation, and before joining, members sign agreements that clearly stipulate the rules of the game, including the dos and don’ts,” he stressed.
On the way forward for the future of AFCON tournaments, Maigari advised the organisers to intensify training programmes, introduce more innovations in broadcast coverage, and improve fan engagement across the continent.
During the interview, Maigari was presented with a copy of Sahel Sports Fact, where he commended the publisher for the initiative and prayed that the publication would achieve the objectives for which it was established.
