Sports
AFCON: Morocco’s King Pardons Jailed Senegal Football Fans For ‘Humanitarian Reasons’
Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has pardoned the Senegalese football supporters jailed after violence at the 2025 AFCON final in Rabat for “humanitarian reasons”, a royal court statement said on Saturday.
It said that in view “of the age-old fraternal ties” between the two countries “and on the occasion of the advent of Eid al-Adha”, the king has “granted, on humanitarian grounds, his royal pardon to the Senegalese supporters”.
The Muslim holiday will be celebrated on Wednesday in Morocco.
Senegal won the chaotic January 18 AFCON final 1-0, but the match was later awarded on appeal to hosts Morocco.
After a penalty awarded to Morocco in stoppage time of the second half, just after a Senegal goal was disallowed, Senegalese fans tried to storm the pitch and hurled projectiles.
In February, Moroccan courts sentenced the 18 Senegalese supporters held in Morocco since the final to prison terms ranging from three months to a year.
Three were released from jail in mid-April after completing their three-month sentence.
Following that release, another 15 Senegalese fans remained incarcerated after receiving sentences ranging from six months to one year.
The royal pardon is expected to apply to those 15.
Lawyer Patrick Kabou, who represented a large number of the Senegalese, told AFP they were expected to be released late Saturday.
Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye welcomed the Moroccan king’s decision in a post on X.
“Our compatriots detained in Morocco following the incidents that occurred on the sidelines of the Africa Cup of Nations are free. They will soon be reunited with their loved ones,” he wrote.
Faye thanked King Mohammed VI for a decision “imbued with clemency and humanity”.
According to the Moroccan public prosecutor’s office, the charges against the 18 football supporters were based mainly on footage from cameras at Rabat’s Moulay Abdellah Stadium, and on medical certificates for injured law enforcement officers and stewards.
Material damage from the violence was estimated at more than 370,000 euros (around $430,000).
At the end of January, the Confederation of African Football imposed disciplinary sanctions on both national federations for unsporting conduct and violations of the principles of fair play.
After the Confederation decided on March 17 to award the 2025 AFCON to Morocco by administrative ruling, Senegal appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The two countries have a history of cooperation in sectors including tourism and energy, and share strong religious ties.
Senegalese make up the largest foreign community living in Morocco.
AFP
Nigeria’s Super Eagles began their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 2-1 comeback victory over Madagascar in Uyo on Friday.
Madagascar stunned the home crowd at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium by taking the lead in the 16th minute through E. Kari, who converted a pass from R. Ponti.
Nigeria responded before half-time, with debutant George Ilenikhena restoring parity after combining with Alex Iwobi to finish off the move.
The Super Eagles completed the comeback in the second half when another debutant, Moses Usor, scored to put Eric Chelle’s side 2-1 ahead.
Nigeria held on to secure all three points and make a winning start to their Group L campaign.
The result is particularly significant because Tanzania, one of the group’s co-hosts, already has an automatic place at the 2027 AFCON finals.
Consequently, only the highest-placed team among Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau will claim the remaining qualification ticket from the group.
The Super Eagles will next travel to Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday for their second Group L fixture, while Madagascar will face Tanzania.
Nigeria were without Victor Osimhen for the match after the Galatasaray striker was ruled out of the opening two qualifiers while recovering from a muscle injury.
Team FCT have emerged winners of the Abuja Zone of the ongoing 2026 First Bank/Samuel Okwaraji Foundation Inter-Secondary School Football Competition.
The FCT side finished top of the zonal standings with 10 points to secure the first position, while Plateau State came second with 7 points.
Other teams that participated in the Abuja Zone competition were representatives from Niger, Nasarawa and Kogi states.
Speaking after FCT emerged champions of the zone, 16-year-old Victor Onyebuchi, an emerging star and a student of GSTC Garki, praised the organisers for providing young footballers with an opportunity to showcase their talents.
Onyebuchi said he had hoped and prayed that FCT would emerge winners of the group, expressing delight that his wish had been fulfilled.
He, however, stressed that the team must work harder ahead of the national final, where they will aim to compete for the overall title.
“I am very happy that FCT emerged winners of the group. I prayed for this and my wish has come true. Now, we have to work harder for the national final and hopefully emerge champions,”
Onyebuchi said.
The promising midfielder also revealed that the competition represents an important platform in his ambition to become a professional footballer.
“My dream is to become a professional footballer in Nigeria and later play for the national team. I believe this tournament can give me the opportunity to achieve that dream.”
The Abuja Zone was one of the zonal centres for the 2026 First Bank/Samuel Okwaraji Foundation Inter-Secondary School Football Competition, designed to provide young players with a platform to develop and showcase their football abilities.
Former Super Eagles captain and Al-Ahli star, William Troost-Ekong, has converted to Islam.
Troost-Ekong was said to have recited the Shahadah in Doha, Qatar, where he plays for Qatar Stars League club Al-Ahli, as reported by a Qatari press, “Al-Arab” on Wednesday.
A respected Islamic cleric, Dr Muhammad Salah, also shared a video on his verified Facebook account wherein the defender recited the testimonies.
The 33-year-old defender first moved to the Arab region in the summer of 2024, when he signed for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Khaleej.
He joined Qatari side, Al-Ahli in January 2026 on a one-and-a-half-year contract and has since played 14 matches across all competitions, including a single appearance in the current season.
On the international stage, Ekong won 83 caps for Nigeria between 2015 and 2025, scoring 8 goals.
He reached the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire and was named best player of that edition.
Troost-Ekong also represented Nigeria at the FIFA World Cup and Olympic Games, establishing himself as one of the country’s most experienced defenders of the past decade.
He enjoyed a distinguished international career with Super Eagles, making more than 70 appearances for the Super Eagles.
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