Algiers – Just hours before the AFCON 2025 final, Senegal’s coach, Pape Thiaw, has ignited a controversy by sharply criticizing Morocco’s organization of the tournament. In stark contrast, he lauded Algeria’s handling of the CHAN (African Nations Championship) in 2022.
In a press conference preceding the final match, Thiaw didn’t mince words. “What we experienced in Algeria was completely different,” he stated, directly comparing the two experiences. “The CHAN organization in Algeria was fantastic. In Morocco, I’d rather not talk about it.”
The Senegalese coach expressed frustration, adding, “During CHAN in Algeria, things ran smoothly, and the competition was solely on the field.” This statement highlights a significant disparity between a professionally managed event and one marred by disarray.
Thiaw’s criticism wasn’t mere rhetoric; it stemmed from alarming incidents his team endured. He revealed that his players “found themselves in danger at the train station, where anything could have happened with individuals with malicious intentions.” Imagine, a team reaching the AFCON final exposed to potential harm at a train station due to inadequate security. Where is the safety? Where is the protocol? Where is the professionalism that the Moroccan media incessantly boasts about?
Adding to the chaos, Thiaw himself arrived at the press conference half an hour late because of delays with his security escort. Even in basic organizational matters, there was a clear failure and confusion. This is the stark reality behind the so-called “exceptional Moroccan organization” promoted by pro-establishment channels.
The irony is profound: Pape Thiaw is the same coach who led Senegal to victory at the CHAN 2022 in Algeria, defeating the Algerian team on their home turf. His praise for Algeria’s organization and condemnation of Morocco’s carries significant weight, further highlighting the organizational shortcomings of the current AFCON.
