Segun Odegbami believes the outcome of the dramatic final in Rabat spared the hosts and the organisers from accusations that might have overshadowed what had been widely praised as a well-run competition.

The tournament had built steadily towards a heavyweight showdown between two of Africa’s finest sides. Hosts Morocco, Africa’s top-ranked team and 2022 World Cup semi-finalists, were chasing their first AFCON title in half a century. Senegal, champions in 2021, were equally driven to reclaim the crown they lost at the 2023 edition.

However, the final itself was dominated by controversy in the closing stages. Deep into stoppage time, Senegal thought they had sealed victory, only for their goal to be disallowed for a foul in the build-up. Shortly afterwards, the referee awarded Morocco a penalty following a VAR review for a challenge on Brahim Diaz.

The decision triggered angry protests from the Senegal camp, who felt the earlier goal had been cancelled for a similar, and equally soft, infringement. Tensions rose further when coach Pape Thiaw led his players off the pitch in protest, only for captain Sadio Manéto to convince them to return.

Diaz then missed the penalty, the match went into extra time, and Senegal eventually claimed the title thanks to a superb strike from Pape Gueye.

According to Segun Odegbami, that sequence of events made Senegal’s triumph the most acceptable outcome for the competition as a whole.

The 1980 AFCON winner dismissed suggestions of any conspiracy involving Morocco or CAF, placing the blame instead on poor officiating. While he acknowledged that Morocco fully deserved their place in the final, he argued that a home victory would have been extremely difficult to defend given the circumstances.

Writing in his weekly column, Odegbami said: “The crisis had taken its toll on the psyche of the Moroccans and the consequence became the defeat of their team on home soil, a ‘disappointment’ that they must consider a blessing now, because it saved Morocco and the entire championship from a smear that would have blighted both of them should they have won.

“On the night, overall, the Teranga Lions of Senegal had been slightly better in a grueling match between the two best teams in the championship. On the basis of the football played, they deserved the coveted crown. The elements intervened and ensured that justice be done!

“At the end, beyond the sentimental considerations, despite a few issues in the corridors of CAF, Morocco and CAF did well and must be commended for their organisation, innovation, justice and ensuring FairPlay during this wonderful AFCON in Morocco.”

Odegbami had earlier tipped Nigeria to win the tournament after the Super Eagles stormed through their opening matches, winning their first five games and scoring 14 goals.

Nigeria’s title hopes ended with a penalty shoot-out defeat to Morocco in the semi-finals, before they claimed bronze by beating Egypt on penalties in the third-place play-off.