Once upon an AFCON. Africa wanted to present the world with its best image. But in the 98th minute of the final, it fell back into its comfort zone: populism, conspiracy theories, and rules trampled underfoot, all unfolding in a fiasco broadcast to the world. Morocco took one step forward. CAF took two steps back.
As the AFCON final between Morocco and Senegal approaches, a storm of controversy has erupted, overshadowing the match itself with allegations of inadequate security during the Senegalese team's arrival in Rabat. The uproar, fueled by the Senegal Football Federation's grievances, highlights a paradoxical scenario where the federation's own actions may have contributed to the very chaos they criticize.