Former CAF Vice President Kwesi Nyantakyi has launched a strong critique of the Confederation of African Football’s decision to overturn the result of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, describing it as a “dangerous precedent” that undermines the integrity of the game.

In a detailed reaction following the CAF Appeal Board’s ruling, which stripped Senegal of the title and awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory, Nyantakyi questioned both the legal basis and the broader implications of the decision.

“We woke up to a decision that has rippled across the continent, igniting debate and raising eyebrows,” he said, arguing that the ruling could have long-term consequences for how disputes are handled in African football.

Nyantakyi faulted the decision on three main grounds, beginning with what he described as a “misconception, misinterpretation and misapplication” of Articles 82 and 83 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.

He explained that those provisions are general in nature and intended to address misconduct only where no specific regulations apply. According to him, CAF instead overlooked more detailed provisions within Articles 88 to 106, which clearly outline specific offences and corresponding sanctions.

“It must be appreciated that in highly charged matches, players may protest decisions or even stage brief walkouts,” he said. “Such reactions, in themselves, do not constitute a serious offence unless they lead to the abandonment of a match.”

Nyantakyi stressed that in the AFCON final, although there was a temporary walkout following a late penalty decision, players returned and the match was completed, making a forfeiture ruling inappropriate.

He also raised concerns over the role of the match referee, pointing to Law 5 of the Laws of the Game, which gives the referee final authority on factual decisions during a match.

“The referee is the judge of facts,” Nyantakyi noted. “It was clear the match was brought to an end by the referee. Any contrary finding has no basis in the laws of the game.”

Beyond the legal arguments, Nyantakyi warned that the decision could damage the credibility of African football.

He described the overturning of a completed match result as “an assault on the integrity of the game,” cautioning that such rulings risk eroding public trust and confidence in CAF’s governance.

“Football is played in the open and watched by millions. If results can be changed in boardrooms without clear justification, serious credibility issues will arise,” he said.

Nyantakyi further warned that sponsors and stakeholders may begin to reconsider their involvement if decisions are perceived as inconsistent or lacking transparency.

The CAF Appeal Board’s ruling has sparked widespread debate across the continent, with Nyantakyi’s comments adding further weight to growing concerns over the handling of one of the most controversial decisions in AFCON history.