Editor-in-Chief Dr. Ezzat Al-Gamal writes: Morocco relinquished the Africa Cup… and the continent reveals its true face!

In the final of the Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco did not lose the match… rather, the continent confronted itself.
Between Senegal’s withdrawal, crowd chaos, and unsportsmanlike, uncivil behavior, Morocco chose to be bigger than the tournament, bigger than anger, and bigger than envy.

This is not merely a football analysis, but an exposure of scandals, rage, and a truth about an Africa clinging to the past, confronted with a superior Moroccan model.

Morocco relinquished the Africa Cup… while Africa remains captive to the past

Introduction: When victory turns into a scandal and defeat into pleasure

The AFCON final was not just a football match, but a theater of violence and chaos. Morocco demonstrated responsibility and civilization, while some African nations—especially Senegal—remained prisoners of the past, drowning in resentment and jealousy, rejecting any successful model.

Morocco did not lose; it sacrificed the cup to save Africa’s image and prevent a catastrophe from becoming a historic scandal.
What happened on the pitch, from the behavior of the Senegalese team and its fans, can only be described as unsportsmanlike and uncivilized, exposing Africa’s gap with modernity.

The real shock was not only on the field, but outside it—on the streets, on screens, and in reactions that revealed the problem with Morocco is no longer sporting, but psychological and civilizational.

Relinquishing the Cup: When Morocco sacrificed the trophy to protect something greater

Not everyone who loses is defeated.
Morocco did not lose the AFCON final.
Morocco relinquished it.

The difference between losing and relinquishing is the difference between playing a match and bearing responsibility for an entire continent before the world.

What happened was not just football, but a decisive moment where law mixed with chaos, sport with politics, and the pitch with backstage dealings. In that moment, Morocco chose to be bigger than the cup.

When excellence becomes an accusation

They said Morocco failed in organization.
The truth is harsher and simpler: Morocco did not fail—it embarrassed others through its competence, professionalism, and respect for its guests.

The final was a civilizational test, exposing the gap between those working for the future and those trapped in the past.

When success becomes provocation

Morocco delivered the strongest organizational edition in AFCON history:

• World-class stadiums
• High-end hotels
• Organized transportation
• Accommodation respecting teams beyond results

And here the problem began.
When civilization is presented to those unaccustomed to it, it is perceived as provocation.

Morocco raised the standards because it knows the World Cup is coming, and those who want the future cannot think with a past mentality.

Morocco did not lose.
Morocco relinquished the cup—not out of weakness, but out of leadership and historical wisdom.

Chaos on the pitch: Senegal and the crowd

• Senegal withdrew protesting a penalty
• Refused to return within legal time
• CAF officials intervened
• Fans invaded the pitch, threatening safety

All of this reflects unsportsmanlike and uncivilized conduct.

Refereeing: When the law is broken

Football law is clear: a team that withdraws and does not return within the legal time loses the match.
This did not happen.

The referee bears responsibility for a serious officiating failure.

After the match: Open hatred

The pain was not defeat, but:

• Public celebrations of Morocco’s loss in some Arab streets
• Turning sport into hatred and score-settling

When Morocco’s victory becomes an accusation and its loss a joy, this is no longer football—it is a moral crisis.

Morocco and the sporting future

Morocco does not live on one title:

• 4th place in the 2022 World Cup
• Youth titles and Olympic medals
• An integrated vision for sport and infrastructure

Morocco did not only surpass the tournament—it surpassed mentalities and time.

Morocco relinquished the cup, but won respect, leadership, and history.
Glory to Morocco—a state of achievement and a model of true civilization in Africa.