The President of the Confederation of African Football, Patrice Motsepe, has assured that the organization will abide by the final ruling of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) regarding the controversial 2025 AFCON title decision.

Motsepe made this statement on Wednesday during an official visit to Senegal, just over three weeks after CAF’s Appeal Committee made the shocking move to strip the Teranga Lions of their victory and award the title to Morocco.

On March 17, CAF’s Appeals Committee announced that Morocco would be recognized as winners of the January 18 final with a 3-0 result. This was despite Morocco losing 1-0 on the pitch, with the decision based on claims that Senegal’s players walked off during the match.

The ruling sparked outrage across Senegal, with the government issuing a statement the following day calling for an international probe into what it described as “suspicions of corruption” within CAF’s leadership.

Refusing to accept the outcome, the Senegalese Football Federation proceeded to challenge the decision by filing an appeal at CAS.

Speaking on the ongoing dispute, Motsepe admitted that the issues surrounding the final are now firmly in the hands of the arbitration court. He emphasized that CAF will respect and implement whatever verdict is eventually delivered.

He also explained that his visit to Senegal reflects CAF’s commitment to maintaining strong relationships with the country’s football authorities, government, and citizens.

Motsepe added that while the controversy remains under legal review, CAF is focused on moving forward by promoting football development and strengthening the sport across its member nations.

The CAF president is expected to carry the same message to Morocco during his visit on Thursday, in what many see as a diplomatic effort to ease tensions surrounding the disputed AFCON title.

Naija Street Matters gathered that the visits are part of wider moves to calm the situation as the legal battle continues.