CAF 2nd Vice President and Ghana Football Association President Kurt Okraku has publicly defended the Senegal national team’s behaviour during the chaotic 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, insisting their much-criticised actions reflected an intense will to win rather than outright misconduct.
The final, which Senegal won 1–0 against Morocco after extra time, was overshadowed by controversy including a 15-minute stoppage, a pitch invasion and physical clashes following a disputed penalty decision. During the turmoil, Senegal’s players briefly walked off the pitch on the instructions of head coach Pape Thiaw.
CAF later imposed heavy sanctions on Senegal, including a reported $615,000 fine on the federation, a five-match ban and $100,000 fine for Thiaw, as well as suspensions for several players. However, speaking to GTV Sports Plus, Okraku offered a more sympathetic interpretation of the incident.
“People have read a lot of negativity into the behaviour of Senegal. I tend to see it the other way. Yes, they went a bit overboard, but they showed that they had the desire, they showed that they wanted victory at all costs, and they showed that they wanted to compete, regardless of the odds they may have thought confronted them. And for me, that is football.”
His remarks come amid Morocco’s decision to challenge aspects of the disciplinary measures, describing the penalties as disproportionate. CAF, however, rejected a formal attempt to overturn the match result, allowing Senegal’s triumph to stand.
Okraku’s stance underscores a divided reaction within African football circles, with some viewing the episode as unacceptable indiscipline, while others interpret it as an extreme but passionate display of competitive spirit on the continent’s biggest stage.
