The Paris Saint-Germain defender said neither he nor teammates should accept the trophy, regardless of any decision by Confederation of African Football.

His comments followed Morocco’s loss to Senegal national football team in the tournament final.

“My mum told me to reject the AFCON trophy. I’m officially rejecting it and hope my teammates do same. We had a chance but failed to win,” Hakimi said.

He acknowledged the result, stressing Senegal were worthy winners and cautioning against actions that could undermine their achievement.

“That’s football, sometimes you win and lose. Senegal beat us fairly and deserved it. It will be unfair to ruin their joy after the hardwork,” he said.

Hakimi added he respects CAF’s position but could not accept a title he believed Morocco did not earn on the pitch.

“I respect the CAF decision but I’m officially rejecting the trophy. I didn’t win 2025 AFCON. Congratulations to Senegal once again,” he said.

The stance highlights a rare moment in football, with a player declining recognition in favour of sporting integrity.

Morocco were among favourites but fell short, while Senegal’s triumph was widely viewed as deserved after their performance.

On March 17, 2026, CAF Appeal Board ruled for Morocco, citing Senegal’s walk-off as forfeiture under regulations, overturning the 1–0 result to 3–0.

The Senegalese Football Federation said it will appeal the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Source: NAN

READ ALSO:

CAF ruling: Morocco’s captain rejects AFCON title, backs Senegal

Military foils drone-assisted attack, wipes out terrorist commanders

Eid-el-Fitr: NRC to run three Lagos–Ibadan train trips Monday

FG orders arrests over alleged sexual assault at Ozoro Festival

INTIMATE AFFAIR: For Gen-Z brides, By Funke Egbemode

Thugs disrupt ADC women rally in Rivers

NIPR tasks 421 inductees on safeguarding Nigeria’s image

Iran: U.S.-Israeli bombing campaign could create uncontrollable situation -UN

Spokesman for Iran’s Revolutionary Guards killed in attack

Tinubu felicitates muslims on Eid-el-Fitr, urges renewed patriotism

Eid-el-Fitr: Yilwtda rejoices with muslims, seeks promotion of unity

Tinubu returns to Lagos for Eid-el-Fitr after UK state visit

Nigeria, UK: FG signs £747m deal to refurbish two major ports

Messi scores 900th career goal, joins Ronaldo in elite club

The post CAF ruling: Morocco’s captain rejects AFCON title, backs Senegal appeared first on Frontpageng.

A statement on the official CAF website on Tuesday said that the board upheld Morocco’s appeal and set aside the earlier decision of the CAF Disciplinary Board on the final match dispute.

It ruled Senegal’s conduct breached Articles 82 and 84, validating Morocco’s protest and confirming the forfeiture decision in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football.

The board also found the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football infringed Article 82 through its team’s conduct during the disputed match.

All other motions and requests for relief relating to the main appeal were dismissed by the CAF Appeal Board.

On Morocco’s player Ismaël Saibari, the board upheld misconduct findings but reduced sanctions to a two-match suspension, with one match suspended.

The board also cancelled the earlier fine of 100,000 dollars imposed on the player.

CAF held Morocco responsible for ball boys’ conduct but reduced the fine to 50,000 dollars.

The appeal on interference around the OFR/VAR review area was dismissed, with the 100,000 dollars fine upheld.

However, the fine for the laser incident involving Morocco was reduced to 10,000 dollars, while other requests were dismissed.

Source: NAN

READ ALSO: 

Bootstrapping is good, but how far can it take you?

Eid-el-Fitr: FG declares Thursday, Friday public holidays

‘Behind The Scenes’ emerges highest grossing Nollywood film in UK, Ireland

Oshoffa condemns illegal seminaries in CCC

Explosions: Move to Maiduguri, Tinubu directs service chiefs

ILCS leadership visits Oyo Head of Service, seeks collaboration

Police confirm 23 deaths, 108 injured in Maiduguri’s bomb blasts

Olókùnkùn of Òkùnkùn-Birimu, By Lanre Ogundipe

Workplace legacy for smart career/business professionals

Naira gains N8.46 at official market

Explosion: Police deploy EOD to UMTH, Monday Market

Nigeria’s inflation rate eases to 15.06% in February –NBS

The post CAF awards AFCON 2025 final to Morocco after Senegal forfeiture appeared first on Frontpageng.

CAF said its Disciplinary Board punished the Senegalese and Moroccan federations, players and officials for breaching the CAF Disciplinary Code during and after the finals.

Senegal edged Morocco 1–0 after extra time, but protests, pitch confrontations and crowd unrest followed a controversial Video Assistant Referee decision late in the match.

CAF handed Senegal coach, Pape Bouna Thiaw, a five-match suspension for unsporting conduct and fined him 100,000 dollars for bringing the game into disrepute.

Senegal players Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr received two-match CAF bans for unsporting behaviour.

The Senegal federation was fined 615,000 dollars.

Morocco defender, Achraf Hakimi, got a two-match suspension, one suspended for a year.

Midfielder Ismaël Saibari received a three-match ban and 100,000-dollar fine.

The Moroccan federation was fined 315,000 dollars for ball boys’ misconduct, VAR area invasion by officials and players, and supporters’ use of laser pointers.

CAF also dismissed Morocco’s protest alleging regulatory breaches by Senegal, ruling that the complaint lacked merit under AFCON regulations.

The final descended into chaos after a VAR-awarded penalty to Morocco triggered protests and a brief walk-off by Senegalese players, halting play for nearly 20 minutes.

Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy later saved Brahim Díaz’s penalty, before Pape Gueye scored in extra time to secure Senegal’s historic victory.

Before the sanctions, FIFA President Gianni Infantino condemned the incidents, describing the scenes as unacceptable.

“We strongly condemn the behaviour of some ‘supporters’ as well as some Senegalese players and technical staff members.

“It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this manner,” Infantino said.

“It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this manner, and equally, violence cannot be tolerated in our sport; it is simply not right.”

CAF said the sanctions underscored its stance on discipline, fair play and respect for match officials, closing a turbulent chapter of AFCON 2025.

Source: NAN

READ ALSO: 

BREAKING: Veteran journalist, Olufemi Odugbose, is dead

NCC outlines connectivity, terrain-related gaps on major roads

Equities market sheds N352bn

Lagos police disperse protesters, apprehend two

Ojora: His life was marked by humility, perseverance –Tinubu

SSB tax: Should private profits supersede public health?

Immigration, passports, and travel documents in Nigeria

N4.6bn was transferred from ex-ONSA’s account, witness tells court

Abba Kyari: How NDLEA officers cleared two convicted drug traffickers –Witness

Security guard gets life imprisonment for raping nurse

JAMB refutes reports barring undergraduates from UTME

BREAKING: Otunba Adekunle Ojora is dead

APC welcomes Plateau governor as other parties’ structures collapse into ruling party

The post AFCON 2025: CAF slams Senegal, Morocco for final chaos appeared first on Frontpageng.

The decisive moment came three minutes into extra time when Pape Gueye fired a superb left-footed strike from the edge of the box, stunning the home crowd in Rabat.

Morocco had earlier missed a golden chance to win in regulation time after VAR awarded a late penalty, but Edouard Mendy saved Brahim Diaz’s effort.

Both sides traded chances in a finely balanced contest, with Morocco chasing a first continental title in over 50 years and Senegal aiming to reclaim their crown.

Senegal started brightly, dictating play early and forcing Morocco goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou, into sharp saves from Pape Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye.

Morocco responded before half-time, with Nayef Aguerd narrowly missing Abdessamad Ezzalzouli’s dangerous cross across the face of goal.

After the break, the Atlas Lions pressed harder, but Ayoub El Kaabi squandered a clear chance, failing to hit the target from close range.

Senegal threatened on the counter and nearly scored late on, but Bounou produced a fine save to deny substitute Ibrahim Mbaye in the 89th minute.

Extra time proved decisive as Sadio Mané’s clever pass released Pape Gueye, who showed composure and power to beat Bounou with an unstoppable strike.

Morocco pushed desperately for an equaliser, but Mendy stood firm as Senegal defended resolutely to secure a historic victory.

The triumph confirms Senegal’s status among Africa’s elite, sealing a second AFCON title with discipline, resilience and championship pedigree.

READ ALSO:

EXTRA: Time for Alaafin to restrategize, By Azuh Arinze

WEATHER FORECAST: NiMet predicts dust haze, sunshine

African ministers of minerals re-elect Alake as AMSG chair

Police nab 25-year-old for running illegal clinic

EXTRA: Pulpit atheism and the ascendancy of functional disbelief

Police rescue 17 suspected trafficked children in Nasarawa State

NDLEA arrests alleged drug lord in Edo, seizes skunk and seeds

Drug kingpin ‘Kanmo-Kanmo’ arrested 12 years after murder of three NDLEA officers

NAF airstrikes neutralise over 40 terrorists in Borno

Alleged UK fraud: ICPC files criminal charge against Ozekhome

Three suspects arrested over alleged murder of woman, 6 children

The post AFCON 2025: Senegal win second title, beat Morocco 1-0 appeared first on Frontpageng.

The opening half was tense as Egypt defended deep and Senegal searched for openings.

Nicolas Jackson’s 19th-minute shot over the bar was the closest chance before halftime.

Senegal captain, Kalidou Koulibaly, exited injured in the 23rd minute.

His earlier booking rules him out of the final, dealing a blow to the Lions of Teranga.

After the restart, Senegal dominated possession while Egypt remained disciplined.

“From the start, we played together and managed the game well,” Mané later reflected.

The decisive moment came in the 78th minute when Mané struck from the edge of the area, calmly placing the ball beyond Mohamed El Shenawy.

Egypt pushed forward late, but Senegal held firm.

Edouard Mendy saved Egypt’s first shot on target in stoppage time to secure victory.

“We stayed focused and deserved the win,” man-of-the-match Mané said, praising Senegal’s composure in a tightly contested encounter.

The victory sends Senegal into their third AFCON final since 2019.

“The final will be tough, but we will prepare well and give our best,” Mané said.

Source: NAN

READ ALSO: 

US suspends visa processing for Nigeria, 74 others

JOHESU strike: Stop “no work, no pay” policy now, TUC warns FG

Destination branding: How Sanwo-Olu turned Lagos to Nigeria’s festive capital

FG, ASUU sign renegotiated agreement to strengthen tertiary education

1,185 films approved in 2025 -NFCVB

Total inmate population now 81,710 –NBS

Nwamaka Chigbo’s death: Gambari commiserates with family

EXTRA: Good night Oga Yakubu Mohammed, fare thee well sir

Newswatch co-founder, Yakubu Mohammed, is dead

The post Mané’s late strike sends Senegal into AFCON final appeared first on Frontpageng.

Now, hostile immigration policies in the developed world have become the cane with which the “outside” disciplines those who fled failing homelands, exposing the illusion that opportunity abroad is unconditional or permanent.

In those days, each time my mother caught any of her six children attempting to go and play in our neighbour’s compound, she would say, “E je ki kainkain ile yin o ta yin nidi.” In direct translation, she meant that we should fasten our buttocks to our father’s compound and allow the ants there to bite us rather than the ants in the neighbour’s home. In other words, no matter how unattractive your home is, it is better to sit there and endure the discomforts than to sneak out into another compound and assume there are no poisonous ants there.

But did we always listen? Of course not. We were children. We always wanted to go to the “other compound.” And somehow, we almost always ended up in trouble. If we did not break something, we would return with bruises from “playing rough.” And then Mummy would report us to Daddy, and both of them would unleash their customised shege. The combination of those two and their premium shege can only be understood by “legends” whose parents were like mine.

My siblings and I eventually learned to be one another’s friends and playmates. We quarrelled, fought, and resolved things among ourselves. We made our beds the way we wanted to lie on them. In those days, our parents were lawgivers and law enforcers. It was hard being their children, but the discipline toughened us.

2025 came in smiling sweetly, wearing a seductive scent and a swag. We embraced her and laid our heads on her succulent breasts. We were so, so sure everything would be cool. So we revved up our Nigeria and told ourselves, “If Nigeria is not liveable, we will go somewhere else.” 2025 smiled, nodded, and encouraged us to go ahead. We sold land and jewellery. We took loans and sent our children to the UK, US, Canada—everywhere we thought the fields looked greener. Couples went with their children. Some even left their children, hoping to return for them. We even had extreme cases where men in their late 40s and 50s sold their homes so they could go into the neighbour’s compound to explore and enjoy the greener pasture.

So how did we manage to turn all those attributes into curses and disadvantages? Why can we not make all our advantages make us a superpower, even if only an African superpower?

2025 continued to smile.

She did not warn us.

More people boarded the Japa train. Then one day, the UK arrived with branded shege.

They called it Changes to Legal Migration and Work Visas.

It started with the May 2025 Immigration White Paper, which tightened the noose around the necks of “earned settlement” with stricter eligibility rules. That was followed by skilled worker restrictions. Jobs our people took for granted suddenly came under “thou shalt not come to the UK to do these jobs.”

By July 2025, the list of jobs eligible for sponsorship was shortened. By July 22, the UK ended overseas recruitment of social care workers by employers. From here on, for international students, the post-study work period (Graduate visa) will be reduced from two years to 18 months for most applicants starting in early 2027. From January 8, 2026, your English-speaking prowess must be far from Pidgin and close to the Queen’s English. Applicants for Skilled Worker and High Potential Individual visas must now demonstrate a B2 level of English proficiency, up from the old B1.

The Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) paid by employers to sponsor foreign workers was increased by 32 per cent in December 2025.

Still, 2025 was adjusting her bra and patting her bone-straight wig, as if she did not know that all these new laws are a pain in the butt.

The UK government’s 2025 proposals seek to redefine settlement as a privilege rather than a right. The UK is now planning to increase the standard qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) for many legal migrants from five years to 10 years. These, and many other stinging ants, are lining up to bite Nigerians living and working in the UK.

And 2025 is still sitting unruffled in her low-neckline, sweet pink dress. Who wears pink when everything is going dark?

And if we thought we had heard the worst news of the year, it was because we had not opened Uncle Donald’s Santa Claus duffel bag of goodies. Even 2025 was shaken by the contents.

Even yours sincerely is seething—very angry that I paid for a five-year visa that I will not be able to use. I hope Uncle Donald is reading this. My B1/B2 visa is now sitting lame in my passport. I heard it also affected F, M, and even J visas. I guess all alphabets are in trouble in this Trump trouble. Even those who have Green Cards and citizenship are in trouble. Of course, our pregnancies have been told to stay out of America. Under the new ban, U.S. citizens seeking to bring over their spouses and children from travel-banned countries will be unable to do so, unless they manage to fulfil a few extra righteousness.

“The new ban no longer contains an exemption for Afghans who assisted the US war effort in Afghanistan (2001 to 2021). Those Afghans put themselves in mortal danger to help the US, and there are an estimated 260,000 of them who remain abroad waiting for entry to the US. Some are in third countries, but many remain in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan and thus face risks to their freedoms or lives.

Even Afghans who have made it to the US on a Special Immigrant Visa or who are otherwise there legally are fearful that they will be deported.”

I brought this last part to pull the ears of those Nigerians already planning how to enter America by fire or by force. Trump means business. Do not think up any of your Nigerian slangs on this matter. Staying wise and safe should be your motto now. Borrow yourself brain and shelve all plans to outwit Trump. Right now, he holds the aces. If Afghans who “put themselves in mortal danger to help the US” are not exempted from bans and restrictions and those already in America are “fearful they will be deported,” Nigerians desperate to leave Nigeria should look beyond the UK and the US.

I am embarrassed on behalf of all of you Nigerians reading this. We should all be ashamed. Yes, no man is an island, but why is Nigeria not the country everybody wants to visit and live in?

We have great hills.

We have awesome waterfalls.

We have beautiful beaches.

We have minerals of all kinds under our soil.

We are brilliant people.

We are patient, long-distance runners.

We are rugged.

So how did we manage to turn all those attributes into curses and disadvantages? Why can we not make all our advantages make us a superpower, even if only an African superpower?

A land flowing with milk and honey is now queuing to buy sugar in other countries. We are being threatened by all the letters of the English language, all because we failed to do what we should have done when we needed to do them.

The people who call themselves lawmakers have not been able to find the right English to write a law that will make our gold, for instance, as useful as our oil. They prefer to pass bills that enable the President to borrow more money. The Nigerian Police have not found the right way to use our NIN and BVN to track criminals. They are busy somewhere, as you read this, calculating how much they will make from issuing tint permits every year. How did we end up with leaders like the ones we have had? Quickie, two-minute leaders who can neither thrust deep nor last long. They leave no memorable performance—leaders you do not yearn for.

According to the American Immigration Council, “the country most heavily impacted by the new restrictions is Nigeria. Over the last decade (excluding the COVID years of 2020 and 2021), Nigerians received an average of 128,000 immigrant and non-immigrant visas on an annual basis. Nearly all of these visas will now be restricted, blocking legal immigration from the most populous country in Africa.”

In addition, two of the newly banned countries, Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire, qualified for the World Cup in 2026, which will mostly be held in the United States. Under the new travel ban, any fans of those countries who don’t have valid visas as of January 1, 2026, will be barred from getting them and unable to attend the games in person.”

Well, at least Nigeria will not need to sponsor hundreds of people to “go and support our players”. It won’t kill us to watch football where we can rewind and fast-forward, for once.

On a serious note, won’t Canada, Australia, and others soon follow with restrictions because ‘bi iya nla ba gbeni san’l?, keekeeke a ma g’ori eni?’ When a big tragedy knocks you down, it gives smaller misfortunes the opportunity to jump on you. Won’t Gambia and Mauritania one day also tell Nigerians they cannot bring their trouble to trouble their lands?

When will our leaders start leading in ways that will make everybody stop looking down on us? When will they start doing instead of boasting like Okobo, the impotent bridegroom?

And 2025 is still smiling. Only God knows the next shege she has planned.

*Egbemode (egbemode3@gmail.com).

READ ALSO:

New tax law designed to boost sub-national govts’ revenue needs —Sanwo-Olu

AFCON 2025: Lookman’s strike gives Nigeria win over Tanzania

IPI condemns detention of journalist’s wife, nine-month-old baby

APC chair, Yilwatda, appoints Special Advisers, others (+Full list)

BPSR ranks NCC among top three MDAs in best website performance in 2025

PHOTO NEWS: Abiodun Agboola decorated with new rank of DCP

WHO unveils traditional medicine global library

Lassa fever: Plateau records two confirmed cases, two deaths

Media Rights Agenda wins MEA Business Awards 2025

Kogi: Two people dead, 14 injured in auto-crash –FRSC

UBA dragged to court for allegedly opening secret account that landed customer before EFCC

2026: Racing towards or against trust capital

Why Nigerians will re-elect Tinubu in 2027 –Sanwo-Olu

The post 2025, Japa dreams, Immigration ‘shege’, By Funke Egbemode appeared first on Frontpageng.

In the ranking table on the website of the football governing body, Nigeria garnered 1483 points in the month under review as against 1484 points it had at the last ranking in July.

During the period under review, the Super Eagles drew one match (South Africa), won two (Nig 1:0 Rwanda), (Nig 2:0 Congo) and lost two (Sudan 4:0 Nig), (Sen 1:0 Nig).

At the continental level, Nigeria placed 6th behind Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Cote D’Ivoire respectively.

READ ALSO: Digital natives, tech adoption, and place of business growth

On the global scene, Spain dethroned Argentina who had occupied the position since April 2023, to be world leader for the first time since 2014.

The biggest climber was Slovakia, climbing 10 spots to become 42nd.

In total, more than 200 relevant national-team matches were contested around the world since the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking was last updated, majorly impacting on the pecking order.

Source: NAN

The post FIFA ranking: Super Eagles now world 45th appeared first on Frontpageng.

Christian Gomis netted the decisive goal in the 75th minute, converting a well-executed counter-attack to seal the points in a fiercely contested Group D opener at the Amaan Stadium in Tanzania.

The clash between two of West Africa’s footballing giants lived up to expectations, delivering intensity and drama befitting the tournament, which is reserved exclusively for players competing in their respective domestic leagues.

READ ALSO: Tinubu assents to Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Bill 2025

Senegal, winners of the 2022 edition in Algeria, started with poise but faced early pressure from a physical and energetic Nigerian side returning to CHAN finals action for the first time since 2018.

The Super Eagles pressed high from the outset, with Nduka Junior and Raymond Tochukwu asserting themselves in midfield—though both picked up early yellow cards as tempers flared and tackles flew.

The post CHAN: Senegal pip Nigeria as Chelle loses first match appeared first on Frontpageng.

According to the FIFA’s website, Argentina is the highest ranked team in the world, with Spain moving one spot to second place while France drops to third.

England and Brazil retain their fourth and fifth position while Netherlands move a spot to sixth with Portugal dropping to seventh.

Belgium, Italy and Germany are eighth, ninth and tenth.

In the continent, Morocco moves two places ahead of Senegal to claim top spot in Africa and ranked 12th in the world.

READ ALSO: Boat mishap claims two in Bayelsa

Senegal who are now second in Africa are 19th in the world.

Meanwhile 32nd ranked Egypt and 36th Algeria move one spot each to third and fourth in the region while current African champions Cote d’ Ivoire move five places to 41st and fifth in the continent.

Nigeria are two spots below the African champions on 43rd in the globe and sixth in Africa, followed by Tunisia who move three places up to 49th and seventh among Confederation of African Football, CAF, teams.

The next rankings will be released on July 10.

Source: NAN

The post FIFA rankings: Nigeria move up to 43rd position, sixth in Africa appeared first on Frontpageng.

The Nigerian girls who had earlier claimed a silver medal in Accra, Ghana during the African Games, defeated hosts, Senegal 11-8 in the final to become champions.

Speaking after the final game, Nigeria’s head of delegation and team coordinator, Victor Okoro, praised the girls for putting up spectacular displays throughout the games.

READ ALSO: NAF neutralises scores of terrorists

“I’m very proud of this team. I am also happy that once again, they have made Nigeria proud on the international stage,” he remarked.

Okoro, a board member of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF, noted that the recent feats of the team was a further testament to the untiring efforts of the Musa Kida led NBBF.

Source: NAN

The post Nigeria basketball 3×3 U-16 girls claim gold in Senegal appeared first on Frontpageng.