CAF acted swiftly after a match ball went missing during Wednesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations clash between Algeria and Equatorial Guinea at Morocco’s Moulay Hassan Stadium.
Officials noticed that two of the 15 match balls were unaccounted for at the final whistle, sparking immediate concerns over equipment management. Security footage revealed the source: a member of Algeria’s technical staff had taken one of the balls at halftime, concealing it under his clothing.
CAF officials recovered the first ball, but the second remains missing, with the search still ongoing. The tournament coordinator confronted the Algerian staff in the dressing room. Initially denying any wrongdoing, they returned the ball once presented with the video evidence.
Observers on social media criticized the incident as “unprofessional,” highlighting how such behavior undermines discipline and tournament rules. The episode serves as a reminder to all teams of the importance of strict oversight and adherence to CAF regulations.
