AFCON controversy deepens as Guinea challenges 1976 result after CAF ruling on Senegal

The Guinea Football Federation has formally called on the Confederation of African Football to review the outcome of the 1976 Africa Cup of Nations, escalating tensions following the governing body’s recent decision to award the 2025 title to Morocco.

The move comes in the wake of CAF’s ruling that stripped Senegal of the 2025 AFCON crown after a player walkout during the final, despite the match being completed on the pitch. The title was subsequently handed to Morocco.

Citing the decision, Guinea argued that similar disciplinary principles should be applied to historical cases, particularly the decisive 1976 encounter between Morocco and Guinea.

The 1976 tournament, which featured a final round-robin format, saw both sides enter their last match with a chance of winning the title. Guinea needed victory, while Morocco required only a draw.

Guinea went ahead in the first half through Chérif Souleymane, but the game was briefly interrupted when Moroccan players walked off the pitch in protest over a refereeing decision. They later returned to resume play.

Morocco equalised late through Ahmed Makrouh, earning a 1–1 draw that secured them the championship with five points, while Guinea finished runners-up.

In its submission, the Guinean federation insisted that if CAF can retroactively penalise Senegal for a walkout, the 1976 match should also be reassessed.

“Give us back our 1976 AFCON trophy,” the federation stated, adding that any team that leaves the pitch during play should face sanctions, regardless of the era.

The controversy has sparked wider debate across African football, with critics questioning the consistency of CAF’s disciplinary decisions.

Former CAF Disciplinary Board chairman Raymond Hack weighed in on the issue, describing the 1976 incident as a clear precedent.

“There are precedents. In 1976, Morocco walked off the pitch against Guinea but returned, and the game continued,” he said.

However, legal analysts have cautioned that the regulations used in the 2025 ruling, including Article 84, were not in existence at the time and are generally not applied retroactively.

Meanwhile, the Senegalese Football Federation has lodged an appeal against CAF’s decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, while Senegal’s government has demanded an independent investigation into the ruling.

CAF is yet to respond to Guinea’s request, but observers say the growing backlash could force the continental body to clarify its position on both current and historical disciplinary matters.