“Earned, not awarded,” Super Eagles fire back at CAF’s controversial AFCON title award to Morocco

Abdullateef Fowewe

The Nigeria national football team, the Super Eagles, has unleashed a stinging rebuke against the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after it controversially awarded the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title to Morocco, overturning Senegal’s on-field victory.

In a viral X post from the official, the Super Eagles shared a triumphant photo of their 2013 AFCON-winning squad hoisting the trophy, captioned, “Earned, not awarded.”

The pointed message targets CAF’s Appeal Board ruling, which invoked Article 84 of the AFCON Regulations to declare Senegal’s 1-0 extra-time win in the January 2025 final a 3-0 forfeit for Morocco.

The chaotic match, hosted by Morocco, featured a player walk-off over a disputed late penalty and refereeing drama.

Morocco’s Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) successfully appealed 57 days later.

Nigeria, eliminated by Morocco in the semi-finals on penalties, amplified the rivalry with the post.

Fans hailed it as a savvy jab at an “awarded” title.

The backlash echoes across Africa, with Nigerian legend Asisat Oshoala posting: “Morocco is ’champion of Africa in YOUR BOOK @CAF_Online, not in ours!!!”

Senegal’s federation plans a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) appeal, slamming the decision as “unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable.”

Morocco’s federation welcomed the ruling while stressing regulatory compliance.

Nigerian fans have flooded social media with memes, some quipping that CAF should “award” the Super Eagles retroactive titles amid their own disputes with the body.

The saga underscores deep frustrations with CAF governance, reinforcing that true glory is earned on the pitch, not in boardrooms.