By Akinwale Kasali
Super Eagles Soar In Latest FIFA Rankings
The World Football Governing Body, Federation International of Football Association, FIFA, has slammed the Teranga Lions of Senegal, its Football Association and Coach Pape Thiaw for his unwholesome and Unsportsmanlike conduct at the Final of the 2025 African Cup of Nations, AFCON, Championship in Morocco.
The Senegalese Coach had ordered his Players to walk out of the pitch and move into the Dressing Room, following a call from the Video Assistant Referee, VAR, that a Senegalese Player had fouled a Moroccan Player in their half resulting to a penalty.
Condemning the action of the Senegalese team orchestrated by its Coach, FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, stated that the Footballing World witnessed an ugly and unacceptable incident.
The World Governing Body delivered the damning verdict on Senegal’s conduct, with Infantino,
in a rare and scathing intervention noting that the “ugly scenes” witnessed in Rabat threatened the “very essence of football.”
The Football Chief in his Instagram Page, lashed Senegalese players and Coaching Staff for their decision to stage a 14-minute walk-off protest after a controversial late penalty was awarded to Morocco in second-half stoppage time.
The FIFA President, who was in attendance at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, expressed his dismay at the disruption of the match. He also recommended disciplinary action.
“Unfortunately, we also witnessed unacceptable scenes on the field and in the stands, we strongly condemn the behaviour of some ‘supporters’ as well as some Senegalese players and technical staff members. It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this manner, and equally, violence cannot be tolerated in our sport.”
Speaking further, he emphasised the necessity of respecting officials, stating:
“We must always respect the decisions taken by the match officials on and off the field of play.
“I expect that the relevant disciplinary bodies at CAF will take the appropriate measures”.
Showering encomiums on the host nation, Infantino thanked His Majesty King Mohammed VI and praising Morocco as “exceptional hosts.”
Though criticism had trailed the praises heaped on Morocco, as the Continent’s Football circle, critics, fans and some section of analysts have pointed out that while Senegal’s walk-out was a breach of protocol, Morocco’s campaign was not without its own “ugly scenes,” including:
The Towel Saga that went viral, which pictured
Moroccan Captain, Achraf Hakimi and Moroccan ball boys attempting to steal
Edouard Mendy’s towel to distract him before the penalty.
This development has prompted the Patrice Motsepe led Confederation of African Football, CAF, to suspend Senegalese Head Coach, Pape Thiaw.
The continent’s Football Disciplinary Committee found Thiaw guilty of breaching competition regulations after he ordered his players to walk off the pitch in protest over a controversial penalty granted late in the game.
Senegal eventually returned to complete the match and secured a 1–0 victory after extra time.
CAF described the actions of the technical bench as unacceptable and damaging to the image of African football.
The decision comes after intense scrutiny surrounding the chaotic scenes that overshadowed the showpiece match, despite Senegal going on to lift the trophy.
CAF confirmed in a statement that Thiaw will serve a suspension from all CAF competitions, with further sanctions including a fine expected.
The length of the ban, still unknown, means Senegal will be without their head coach for upcoming competitive fixtures, forcing the Senegalese FA to consider interim arrangements.
CAF stressed its commitment to upholding discipline and respect for match officials across all its competitions, noting that no individual or team is above the rules.
The governing body added that appropriate sanctions had been imposed in line with its disciplinary code and warned that similar behaviour in the future would attract even harsher penalties.
It would be recalled that prior to the match day,
the Senegalese Football Federation, FSF, had filed official complaints alleging “sabotage,” claiming players were left without security at train stations and provided with substandard accommodation.
It was however a huge leap for the Super Eagles, as their performance at the Championship never went unnoticed.
This has given the Super Eagles a rise in the World FIFA Ranking.
Nigeria is now ranked 26th in the World in the latest FIFA Ranking released today.
The Coach Eric Chelle team moved 12 places up from 38th they were last month.
Nigeria is now placed Third Best Team in Africa, behind AFCON Winner, Senegal (12th in the world) and Morocco (8th in the world).
Algeria and Egypt, which the Super Eagles stopped at the AFCON, are the fourth and fifth top teams in Africa, respectively.
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