Patrice Motsepe, President of the Confederation of African Football, has said the body will fully respect and implement the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Senegal’s appeal over the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title.

“I will respect and implement the CAS decision. My personal opinion regarding the matter is irrelevant,” Motsepe said on Sunday at a press conference in Cairo after a CAF executive meeting.

The appeal follows CAF’s decision to overturn Senegal national football team’s 1-0 victory over Morocco national football team in the final, awarding Morocco a 3-0 win after Senegal players walked off the pitch in protest over a stoppage-time penalty.

Although Senegal later returned to complete the match with Pape Gueye scoring in extra time after Brahim Diaz missed the penalty CAF ruled the game forfeited following Morocco’s appeal.

Motsepe emphasised that the CAF Appeals Board operates independently, comprising judges and legal experts, and reiterated that the final outcome now rests with CAS.

Despite the ruling, Senegal publicly displayed the AFCON trophy ahead of their friendly against Peru in Paris, with players also wearing jerseys featuring two stars — representing their 2022 triumph and the disputed 2025 title.

Head coach Pape Thiaw and several players have maintained that they remain the rightful champions.

Motsepe also revealed plans to visit both Senegal and Morocco to promote unity, stressing the need for collaboration to grow African football.

CAF further announced ongoing reforms to its statutes and regulations aimed at strengthening trust in refereeing, VAR operations, and judicial processes, while preventing a repeat of the controversy witnessed during the final.

In a separate development, Motsepe confirmed that Nigerian-born CAF official Samson Adamu will serve as caretaker general secretary, replacing Veron Mosengo-Omba, who is retiring after reaching the organisation’s mandatory retirement age of 66.