Rabat – Former Senegal international Boukary Dramé has acknowledged that Morocco could legally secure the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 title, urging Senegal to respect the final decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), even if it favors the Atlas Lions.
Speaking to African football outlet Africa Foot, Dramé admitted that the ongoing legal battle could end with Morocco officially retaining the continental title despite Senegal’s victory on the pitch.
“Even if we do not accept it, it is possible the title will go to Morocco, which is not what I hope for,” the former Paris Saint-Germain defender said.
He stressed that the dispute has reached a stage where legal procedures, rather than sporting preferences, will determine the final outcome.
“And if the ruling comes out considering them African champions before CAF and everyone, then we have to accept it,” Dramé added.
His remarks come after CAS held a hearing on Thursday, October 8, in Lausanne, Switzerland, to examine Senegal’s appeal against a decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The dispute concerns the AFCON 2025 final, which Senegal won 1-0 after extra time. However, CAF’s Appeals Committee later overturned the result, awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory and recognizing the Atlas Lions as continental champions.
Senegal subsequently challenged the ruling before CAS, seeking to overturn CAF’s decision and reclaim the title.
Read also: Morocco-Senegal AFCON 2025 Dispute: What Is Happening at CAS and When Will the Verdict Be Known?
Dramé criticizes impact on African football’s image
Beyond the legal consequences, Dramé expressed concern about the damage the controversy has caused to African football’s international reputation.
The former Senegal international, who represented his country between 2005 and 2016, believes the dispute highlights organizational challenges that African football must address.
“It is regrettable that we are giving the image of a continent that is not serious and still has a long way to go to reach the level of the Europeans,” he said.
Despite his criticism, Dramé expressed confidence that African football has the resources and potential to improve its standards.
He also called on football authorities to learn from the controversy and prevent similar incidents in future continental competitions.
“I hope this phase will be a reason for us to develop, and that such things will not be repeated in the future,” he added.
An unusual case in African football
Dramé also described the controversy surrounding the Morocco-Senegal final as an exceptional situation, explaining that he had never personally experienced a similar case during his football career.
He referred to previous incidents in which teams reportedly left the pitch during matches without receiving comparable sanctions.
However, he pointed out that the AFCON 2025 final presented a different situation because the match eventually continued until its conclusion.
“I have never experienced a situation like this before,” Dramé said, adding that earlier cases involving teams leaving the field had emerged following the controversy.
The former defender acknowledged that the unusual circumstances make the legal dispute particularly significant for African football.
Meanwhile, representatives of Morocco reportedly left the CAS premises following Thursday’s hearing without making public statements.
On the Senegalese side, Abdoulaye Sidou Sow, General Secretary of the Senegalese Football Federation, expressed confidence in the arguments presented by his country’s legal team.
According to GOAL, Sow maintained that Senegal had presented a strong defense during the proceedings.
CAS is expected to deliver its ruling in the coming days, although no official date has been announced.
The decision will determine whether CAF’s ruling awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory remains in place or whether Senegal succeeds in overturning it.
