Category: Great Moments

A Heritage of great moments in the history of the continent and the black race

Standing in Solidarity with our Cuban Brothers and Sisters

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Flag of Cuba

Our hearts go out to our Cuban brothers and sisters who are currently getting strangled alive! Yes… alive! Through no fault of their own, except standing for their freedom. Cuba has been struggling, facing embargo for over 64 years (the US imposed embargo on Cuba on February 3, 1962), and now, since January 3rd when the US kidnapped the Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro and his wife (Pirates of the Caribbeans in Venezuela, or the Renewed Face of the Far West), Cuba has been denied any oil imports. Until then, Venezuela had been providing 50 % of all of Cuba’s oil. Since then, all other countries, like Mexico, which were providing oil to Cuba have stopped after getting threatened by American president Donald Trump with tariffs. On Monday, the power grid collapsed, and on Wednesday power was partially restored to the island of 11 millions. Faced with years of embargo, Cuba’s power grid is aging and now with the recent oil blocade, it is falling apart. Highways are deserted, hospitals suffer, doctors operate with candle lights, and mothers give birth in darkness.

Whatever happens, Cuba is a beacon to the ‘small’ people of the world, and we stand with them. Cubans with Fidel Castro (Fidel Castro: Ideas cannot be Killed!) have shown us that the size of a country or its people does not matter when fighting for freedom and principles. Cuba is a small country, but its actions, its help, has been immense to Africa for the past 50 years. Even to this day, doctors across Africa have been trained in Cuba, and Cuban doctors have vastly supported the health-care services of many countries including Ghana. We stand with them!

Excerpts below are from Al Jazeera.

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Fuel

Cuba has reconnected its power grid and brought online its largest oil-fired power plant, energy officials said, putting an end to a nationwide blackout that lasted more than 29 hours amid a United States move to choke off the island’s fuel supply.

After the country’s 10 million people had been plunged into darkness overnight, the Caribbean island’s national power grid had fully come back online by 6:11pm (22:11 GMT) on Tuesday. However, officials said power shortages may continue because not enough electricity is being generated.

In addition to cutting off oil sales to Cuba, US President Donald Trump has escalated his rhetoric against the Communist-run island, saying on Monday he could do anything he wanted with the country.

A US State Department official blamed the Cuban government for the grid collapse, calling blackouts a “symptom of the failing regime’s incompetence”.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel fired back at Washington, criticising its “almost daily public threats against Cuba”.

“They intend to and announce plans to take over the country, its resources, its properties, and even the very economy they seek to suffocate in order to force us to surrender,” Diaz-Canel wrote on social media on Tuesday night, shortly after power returned nationwide.

Cuba has yet to say what caused Monday’s nationwide grid failure, the first such collapse since the US cut off the island’s oil supply from Venezuela and threatened to slap tariffs on countries that ship fuel to the nation.

By midday on Tuesday, grid workers successfully fired up the Antonio Guiteras power plant, a decades-old behemoth that underpins the country’s power grid.

…

March 8 : International Women’s Day – Central African Women Celebrate with a Rowing Competition

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Women in a rowing competition on the shores of the Ubangi River in Bangui (Source: Africanews)

For the International Women’s Day (IWD) this year, the women of the Central African Republic (CAR) decided to have a rowing competition in the capital Bangui, as opposed to the usual parade. I thought the idea sweet, and wanted to share. The competition took place on March 8, 2026, on the shores of the Ubangi River in Bangui. The ladies of Bangui came out in droves and participated in a 100% rowing feminine competition. In our countries, rowing competitions are usually male, rarely do we have a female competition; this might be a first! Imagine the togetherness spirit these women showed, the courage, and the fun! And the men came out to cheer the women in the race; there were thousands of spectators. This is an inspiration to other women in the country, on the continent, and around the globe, how about making IWD an action day?

Excerpts below are from Africanews.

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Women celebrating IWD by rowing in a 100% female competition in Bangui (Source: Africanews)

The women of Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, responded enthusiastically to the call from the organizers of the all-female canoe race on the Ubangi River.

In a frenzied atmosphere, the women flexed their muscles, paddling in long canoes. This year in Bangui, they wanted to celebrate International Women’s Day in a different way. Along the riverbank, a roaring crowd cheered the arrival of the winners.

“You know, it’s usually our husbands who do the races, but for this day, we thought, why not us! We are just as capable as our husbands, and we are proud of it. I am very happy that my village, Bokassi 1, was able to take first place in this race,” declared Jupsie Mameleyabi, captain of the Bokassi women’s team.

… “I am very proud to have participated in this race. I witnessed the bravery of Central African women and girls; they were courageous, committed, and determined, and that is what March 8th is all about. March 8th is about celebrating women’s victories and their commitment, and they demonstrated that this afternoon. So, congratulations to the Central African Republic for winning, and congratulations to the women and girls of the Central African Republic. Rights, justice, and action for all the women and girls of the Central African Republic,” explains Rachel Miam Diagone, UN Women Resident Representative in the Central African Republic.

The Far West Continues ?

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Flag of Iran

Since last Saturday, we have been witness to joint Israeli-US attacks on Iran, which killed the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, over 100 little girls, and others. At the beginning of the week, the US also engaged in a joint military effort with Ecuador against narcotrafics in Ecuador and carried out air strikes. We also know about the deployment of some 200 American troops in Nigeria. Yesterday, the American president announced that Cuba would be next. Brothers and sisters… there is no letting up! To each one of us, this is a signal to stay alert!

Flag of Venezuela

As it stands now, what the US has done with the blatant removal of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela, and now the murder of the Ayatollah Khamenei in Iran (during Ramadan) has united the people of the global South in general and Muslims of all board in particular, against the United States. How long can a giant stay (over)stretched? The people of Iran are fighting for survival… while the United States are fighting to help a friend (Israel)… there is a difference! The geology of the Iranian territory makes it an almost impenetrable fortress. Remember that this is the same Iran which fought tirelessly against Iraq’s Western-backed invasion. Why does the West think that it is okay to decide for the people of a country? Why not let them decide for themselves: throw out whoever they want whenever they want without western intervention? Wouldn’t it be arrogant to want to change their condition without their participation? Who is to say what is good! We all know Western media lied about Muammar Gaddafi in Libya, claiming he was killing his own people, and that the Libyan people needed democracy… look what is left of Libya now! Is there one Libyan out there (except puppets) who can look at their country now and applaud the NATO attacks?

We will note that, as always, the West cannot be trusted. Iran was at the table of negotiations on Friday and got bombed the next day! This is so reminiscent of so many situations in the world: the recent DRC-Rwanda peace agreement treaty where the country is still occupied and attacked by Rwandan-backed M23, and countless others. Would you blame Iran for not wanting to sit at a negotiation table?

 

African Participation at the 2026 Winter Olympics

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Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics

The 2026 Winter Olympics took place in Milan and Cortina, Italy this year, last month. The African participation at these Winter Olympics reached a historic high, with 15 athletes representing 8 African nations, competing across multiple winter sports. After PyeongChang 2018, this is the second time in the history of Winter Olympics that Africa is set to be represented by 8 countries. This marked the highest show from the continent at a Winter Game, reflecting steady growth in representation and investment in winter-sport pathways.

Mialitiana Clerc (Source: Olympics.org)

The 8 countries were Benin, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, Eritrea, Madagascar, Morocco, Kenya, and South Africa. Benin and Guinea-Bissau had their debut appearance. South Africa fielded its largest-ever Winter Olympic team, with 5 athletes. These 8 countries were represented by 15 athletes competing in alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, skeleton, and other individual disciplines. Mialitiana Clerc represented Madagascar, becoming the first African woman to compete in three winter olympics.

Map of Africa

The athletes were Nathan Tchibozo of Benin and Winston Tang of Guinea-Bissau giving their country’s first time participation at the Olympics in Alpine Skiing, Samuel Ikpefan of Nigeria in Cross country skiing, Shannon-Ogbnai Abeda from Eritrea in Alpine skiing, Mialitiana Clerc and Mathieu Gravier from Madagascar in Alpine Skiing, Pietro Tranchina competing in alpine skiing and Abderrahim Kemmissa in cross-country skiing both from Morocco, Issa Laborde from Kenya in Alpine skiing; Lara Markthaler in alpine skiing, Malica Malherbe in freestyle skiing, Matthew Smith in cross country skiing, Nicole Berger in skeleton, and Thomas Weir in alpine skiing all representing South Africa.

There were no medals, but we are very proud of these athletes who showed great courage and resilience and patriotism to represent their countries.

As a side note, I would like to give a shout out to an American junior cousin duo skating pair whose parents are originally from Benin, formed by Anaelle Kouevi and Yann Homawoo. They are a rising US junior ice dance team; they won the US Novice Bronze medallists in 2024, and have not yet participated at the Olympics. They show great promise and we are also proud of them.

Iran and the Implications

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Flag of Iran

We are only entering the third month of 2026, and so far this year has not been for the faint of heart. On February 28, 2026, the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed by joint strikes from Israel and the United States on Iran. President Donald Trump announced the death hours earlier, saying it gave Iranians their “greatest chance” to “take back” their country. The Iranian State media reported that the 86-year-old was killed in an airstrike targeting his compound in downtown Tehran. US President Donald Trump has stated that the strikes on Iran could last for about a month, saying “It’s always been a four-week process… as strong as it is, it’s a big country, it’ll take four weeks – or less”. He also commented on the deaths of US service personnel, calling them “great people” and noting that such incidents are expected and could happen again.

Libya, the Prey of the West
Libya, the Prey of the West

It has been almost 25 years since American General Wesley Clark, following 9/11 attacks, told us that the United States were planning to attack 7 countries in 5 years: Irak, Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Iran. As you can see from the list, Iran is the only country still standing in its entirety. We now know, in retrospective, that all these attacks had nothing to do with terrorism, but everything to do with banking and economics. Are the strikes on Iran a hit on the BRICS? What are the implications for the world? Brothers and sisters, we are in the era of the Far West, anybody could be next! I just wonder why the regimes that serve the West and oppress their people are never attacked? Suddenly, in those countries, human rights change meaning. As said before, most countries should get out of the UN, as it is an organization that does not serve the world but only the few.

Below are excerpts from the Wire

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The B in BRICS, Brazil, on February 28 itself, condemned US-Israel attacks on Iranian targets and expressed grave concern over the military action. “The attacks occurred amid a negotiation process between the parties, which is the only viable path to peace, a position traditionally defended by Brazil in the region,” the Brazil government said in a statement.

… Russia – the R – said on the same day, “the US & Israel have embarked on a perilous course, carried out airstrikes on the territory of Iran It’s a deliberate, premeditated, & unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign & independent UN member state.” It said, it was “particularly reprehensible that these strikes are once again being conducted under the cover of the renewed negotiation process.”

C – China, became the one member-state, in a second statement, to specifically condemn the murder of the Supreme leader of Iran, Ayotollah Khamenei. It called it “a grave violation of Iran’s sovereignty and security. It tramples on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and basic norms in international relations. China firmly opposes and strongly condemns it. We urge for an immediate stop to the military operations, no further escalation of the tense situation and joint effort to maintain peace and stability in the Middle East and the world at large.”

S – South Africa said, in a statement issued by the presidency of South Africa, that the “developments pose a serious threat to regional and international peace and security, with far-reaching humanitarian, diplomatic and economic consequences.”

… The BRICS is a group formed by 11 countries: Brasil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Iran. Iran was among six new members admitted in 2024-25.

The current BRICS chair is India, … On March 1, India condemned Iran’s missile strikes on the United Arab Emirates. Then, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging an early cessation of hostilities. New Delhi is yet to comment on the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes. Modi has notably not spoken to Iran’s leadership. Modi also happened to have visited Israel just before the strikes, which had been planned “months in advance.”

What are American Troops doing in Nigeria ?

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Flag and map of Nigeria
Flag and map of Nigeria

Last week, the Nigerian government announced the presence of US troops on its soil. American troops were deployed for, they say, “intelligence support and training, not combat operations.” Nigerian Defense Minister Christopher Musa addressed the “partnership.” This deployment is said to strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation. The AFRICOM commander, General Dagvin Anderson, claimed that the deployment was made at Nigeria’s request to focus strictly on intelligence assistance! In the background, it is said that this is to protect Christians.

How can they talk about anti-terrorism fight, when they are the ones funding these terrorist organizations? It is no secret that almost all facade terrorists organizations were created by Western secret services. It is no secret, that Bin Ladden was once a CIA operative, and we all know who funded ISIS (the US)! They have thus created chaos in Africa to destabilize the continent, and pillage freely resources.

Map of Nigeria (Source: WorldAtlas.com)

How can they talk about the protection of Christians? After watching the video of the Nigerian pastor who called for the Trump administration to intervene in Nigeria, a few things stand out: he says (paraphrasing) “the UN, I know you see me; US senate, I know you are watching me; special council to Trump, Please tell him to save our lives.” Before that event, how many knew this pastor? He has never had popularity like TB Joshua… so how can he have the special ears of the US government? We saw that the December 25 US strikes in Nigeria were not in the area filled with Christians but rather one filled with Muslims in the northwest part, near the border with Niger!

Is it a coincidence that this US deployment occurs just a few days after the failed attempt in Niger? On January 29, gunfire and explosions occurred at the Niamey international airport against President Tchiani of Niger? Is it a coincidence that this happens just a few weeks, barely a month, after the failed attempt against President Ibrahim Traore of Burkina Faso (Another Coup Attempt Against the President of Burkina Faso, Ibrahim Traoré)?

Is it a coincidence that this happens a few days after the Chinese mining giant Zijin bought several gold mines in Mali and other places? It is no secret that the US are trying to stop or level the Chinese, and to a certain extent Russian, expansion in Africa. We have always said that the meteoric global rise in gold prices is coming, in part, from the AES claiming back the control of their mines! We all know, since ancestral times with Emperor Kankan Musa, that Mali is one of the global key players in the gold industry… that’s how France could get their ranking as 4th in the global gold production.

Dangote Refinery (Source: Leadership.ng)

It is also no secret that Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, has built the biggest oil refining complex in Africa which has driven local fuel production and reduced import dependence. Africa’s richest man has built one of the world’s largest oil refineries. Who does not remember the long lines at the pump in Nigeria, when Nigeria is an oil producer? This is a total game changer for Africans, and disrupts the business of these Western companies which were re-selling our oil back to us, as polluted fuel!

Thus, it is clear why American troops were sent to Nigeria: for control! Like I have said for years, there is a new scramble for Africa, and we are watching it happen right now! Remember how the cold war happened between the United States and the Soviet Union in other countries by proxy? Angola is a clear example, where the West and the East (USSR) were fighting or rather supporting both sides. Back then, it was a fight to stop Soviet expansion in the world… Today, it is a fight to stop Chinese expansion and keep Western domination in the world … Nothing has changed!

Libya under Muammar Gaddafi

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Muammar Gaddafi (Mouammar Kadhafi)

I would like to share some points about life in Libya under the Guide of the Libyan Revolution Muammar Gaddafi, from an African perspective, not the trash published by the Western media.  Western Media Lies in Libya, NATO’s debacle in Libya, Truth Dispatch: Update on Libya. He was not a saint, but he loved his country deeply and Africa as a whole, and was fighting for our freedom and dignity as human beings!

Libya had significant reserves of crude oil and the discovery of oil changed its socio-economic landscape. Before Gaddafi, Libya had less control on the oil industry as most of the companies involved in oil exploration activities were foreign, but a few years after Gaddafi took control of the government of Libya, his administration nationalized the oil Industry which had a marked impact on the economy and development. Under Gaddafi’s leadership, Libyans enjoyed an exceptional standard of living, financed by oil revenues that were equitably redistributed.

Map of Libya

Thanks to a bold management of oil wealth, Gaddafi transformed his desert country into a model of social and economic development, offering its citizens unparalleled benefits on the continent, and in the world (Norway is now applying his doctrines – just under a different name). While the West often portrays him as a dictator, we want to tell you about the life of Libyans under Gaddafi, and the benefits to the whole of Africa.

Below are the main benefits enjoyed by citizens (source Eurafrica, translated by Dr.Y, Afrolegends.com):

Free education for all: Access to education, from primary school to university, was entirely free. Before Gaddafi, only 20% of Libyans were literate; under his rule, this rate rose to 83%. A quarter of the population held a university degree, a record in Africa.

Free medical care: Hospitals provided free care, and the number of doctors quadrupled in a decade. Diseases like malaria were eradicated, and tuberculosis declined sharply.

Affordable electricity: Although sometimes described as free, electricity was so heavily subsidized that its cost was negligible for households.

Housing, a fundamental right: Gaddafi considered housing an inalienable human right. Massive programs were implemented to build affordable housing, and citizens could obtain interest-free loans to buy their homes. No homelessness like in the streets of some of American and European capitals!

Support for young couples: Newlyweds received financial assistance of approximately $50,000 to acquire a home and start their family life.

Support for mothers: Every woman giving birth received a bonus of $5,000 to support her family.

Car subsidies: The state covered 50% of the price of cars, making mobility accessible to all. Gasoline at a ridiculously low price: With a liter of gasoline costing only $0.14, Libyans enjoyed some of the cheapest fuel in the world.

Affordable basic necessities: Essential goods were subsidized to ensure access for all.

Support for agriculture: Aspiring farmers received land, equipment, seeds, and livestock free of charge to start their farms.

Assistance for unemployed graduates: Unemployed young graduates received an allowance equivalent to the average salary for their profession until they found a job.

Education and healthcare abroad: If local infrastructure was insufficient, the state financed studies or medical treatment abroad, providing a monthly allowance of $2,300 for housing and transportation.

Oil revenue redistribution: A portion of oil revenues was reinvested in social programs, ensuring rare economic stability.

Libya was a debt-free economy and Gaddafi had a pan-African vision. With reserves of $150 billion and no external debt, Gaddafi’s Libya was an anomaly: an African country free from the clutches of international financial institutions like the IMF. This economic independence allowed Gaddafi to dream big. His ambitious project, the Great Man-Made River, transported millions of cubic meters of water across the desert, transforming arid lands into fertile fields. Nicknamed the “eighth wonder of the world,” this irrigation network symbolized his ambition to make Libya self-sufficient.

Gaddafi went even further: he wanted to unite Africa. By proposing a gold dinar to replace the dollar in African trade, he sought to free the continent from Western powers. This project, combined with his support for the African Union, made him a threat to the global order.

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Saif al-Islam Gaddafi Brutally Murdered or How not to Trust an Enemy

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Muammar Gaddafi (Mouammar Kadhafi)

This is a sad day! Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of the Libyan Guide Muammar Gaddafi (Kadhafi) has been brutally murdered in his house in Libya! I don’t know if this year we are going to get bad news every third day of the month, but so far, it has rained! At the height of the NATO attacks on Libya in 2011, we were there in prayers, and words, writing to tell all about the injustices that were being perpetrated against the Libyan people. The mainstream media lied, and of course Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Nicolas Sarkozy and the rest of NATO launched a vicious attack on the Libyan people under the false pretense that Gaddafi was killing his own people, a people he loved so dearly. The lies were blatant, the attacks horrendous, and they destroyed Libya, thus destabilizing the whole of Africa. We can still hear HRC cackle as she described the killing of the Libyan Guide. Western Media Lies in Libya, NATO’s debacle in Libya, Truth Dispatch: Update on Libya.

Libya, the Prey of the West
Libya, the Prey of the West

Saif al-Islam was one of Gaddafi’s sons. He was brilliant, and a part of his father’s inner circle, at some point performing public relations and diplomatic roles on his behalf; he publicly turned down his father’s offer of the country’s second highest post and held no official government position. He studied at the London School of Economics, and wanted to bring modernism to his country. In 2005, he was awarded a “Young Global Leader” title by the World Economic Forum, and in January 2011, WEF founder Klaus Schwab personally invited Gaddafi to attend the annual WEF Forum in Davos. Young Gaddafi was tricked by the western glitter, and worked to lift the embargo on his country. He was instrumental in negotiations that led to Libya‘s abandoning its weapons of mass destruction program in 2002–2003, the country’s protection against western arms. He arranged several important business deals on behalf of the Libyan regime in the period of rapprochement that followed. He was viewed as a reformer, and openly criticized the regime, probably listening to western advisors.  Muammar Gaddafi did great things for Libya: it was one of the few countries in the world without debt, and with gold reserves. Living in a desert and constantly faced with lack of water, The Guide had even made water sprout in the desert digging deep, enabling amazing engineering feats such as the Great Man Made River Project, the world’s largest irrigation project once known as the 8th wonder of the world. Moreover, Muammar was helping other African countries free themselves, and was about to have the gold dinar to free African countries from the treacherous FCFA. Who in their right mind wouldn’t want the world to see that? Young Saif probably wanted to world to see the beauty his country was.

Map of Libya

Saif had schooled in Europe, in one of the best schools of the world, and likely wanted Libya to be accepted, and probably fell for the oldest Western trick in the book, that of “Democracy” Africans and the Trap of Democracy. He forgot that Westerners never forget! He forgot that once an enemy, always an enemy. He convinced his dad to open up to the west, to their measures, agree to their demands, etc. The Guide even financed Sarkozy’s campaign and election as president of France; he was in turn received like a king in Paris, just to be destroyed by that same Sarkozy (Former French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, gets 5-year Sentence for Corruption Linked to Libya). Once Saif saw the vicious Western attacks on his country in 2011, he understood that the enemy was trying to destroy Libya, and fought against NATO forces, but by then it was too late, as the enemy had weakened their defenses with all the negotiations.

The destruction of Libya: the cake
The destruction of Libya: the cake

After the murder of The Guide, Saif was taken into custody, tortured for years, and later on freed. However, how can a child who has seen his country at its height, and then seen it broken to pieces, his family and people killed and scattered to the winds by the West, sit still? If you are that child, how can you live with yourself, knowing that your country’s downfall might have come from you trusting the enemy, or falling for their treacherous claims? He was still a menace for the West and they had to eliminate him!

The lesson is clear! If you have been enslaved by someone and hated, do not for a second forget and think that they would love you one day. It is important to know that the West never forgets… they keep track… (even after 100 years, they do not forget) and it is imperative for us to keep track and never forget! We live in a global world, so one needs business partners, but do not for an instant believe that someone who has pillaged your country, raped your sisters, destroyed your lives, would one day when you have freed yourself from their choke-hold, forget that they had crushed you once, or become your friends. Evil never becomes good!

Senegal Wins its Second Cup, becoming the 2025 African Cup of Nations Champions

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Senegal wins AFCON 2025 in Morocco (Source: Ghanaweb.com

Congratulations to Senegal for winning its second star and becoming this year’s African Cup of Nations (AFCON) Champion in what was a surreal final against Morocco on Sunday January 18, in Rabat, Morocco. The best team won. The AFCON started on December 21, 2025, and ended on January 18, 2026 in Morocco. Some of the best continental teams played in the tournament and showed us beautiful football. There were some games that were okay, while others were awesome. Until Sunday, the host country had been praised for the organization of the tournament, getting praises from big names like Mohamed Salah, for their impressive infrastructure, stadiums, the quality of the pitches, and travel links.

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) logo

After a month of intense games, the final opposed The Teranga Lions of Senegal to the Atlas Lions of Morocco. At first, the game was a bit tepid but slowly built in action towards the end. At the 96th minute, Senegal’s Ismaïla Sarr scored a goal which was denied by the referee; never taking the time to check the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). Then 2 minutes later, at the 98th minute, the referee awarded a penalty to Morocco, under the pressure of the Moroccan player Brahim Diaz who insisted that he checked the VAR. The referee went on to check the VAR and allowed the penalty. Then chaos ensued. The Senegalese players were indignant, and rightfully so: why the double standard? Why check the VAR for one and not the other? If the penalty is valid, then why was the previous goal denied?

Senegal’s forward Sadio Mane holds up the trophy as he celebrates with his teammates after winning the Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco (Source: AFP)

The Senegalese coach Pape Thiaw, frustrated from the referee disallowing their previous goal, and then allowing a Moroccan penalty, asked his boys to leave the pitch. While this was going on, a scuffle started in the stadium between the Senegalese fans, and the security on the field, degenerating with some exchanging blows. Some of the Senegalese players went back to the lockers while others were still standing on the pitch. Then Sadio Mané, the team’s captain went to exchange brief words with Claude LeRoy on the pitch and El Hadji Diouf, then he ran back to the lockers to call his teammates telling them “Venez, on va jouer comme des hommes!” “Come, we will play like men!” In other words, although there is injustice, let’s play, if we lose, we lose like men. 

Brahim Diaz misses his penalty during the AFCON 2025 final (Source: footballblog.co.uk)

After the players returned to the field, Moroccan forward Brahim Diaz, the tournament’s top scorer with five goals, shot the penalty in a lame ‘Panenka’ effort which was caught by Senegal keeper Edouard Mendy, and the referee blew the whistle for full-time. During extra time, Senegalese player Pape Gueye then scored the winning goal at the fourth minute of extra time to seal a second triumph in five years for the Teranga Lions. Senegal won 1-0 against Morocco. There is no doubt that Senegal has had one of the strongest and most consistent teams of the past 5 years on the continent, winning 2 AFCON titles and making it to the semi-finals another time.

Yehvann Diouf fighting off ball boys for his goalie’s towel (Source: Cameroon-concord.com)

Most western media talk of the Senegalese “outrageous” behavior for walking off the pitch, yet, they do not talk of the reason why: their goal 2 minutes earlier had been denied in a way that seemed quite unjust. The MSM even go as far as blaming social media, because while their cameras only showed the Senegalese walking off the pitch, they forgot to show the Moroccan ball boys, players, staff, and security harassing the Senegalese reserve goalkeeper (who was standing to the side of his goalkeeper’s cage), to the point of assaulting him and dragging him by his feet for protecting a TOWEL!!! People also forget, conveniently, that there were several incidents that happened before the game that culminated with the Senegalese team’s feeling of injustice: the security before the game, the training camp, their hotel, the number of tickets, or the sudden illnesses that struck some star players, and so on. No wonder people are seeing Senegal’s win as divine justice!

Flag of Argentina

FIFA’s president Gianni Infantino condemned the behavior of Senegal players and members of the coaching staff after a chaotic end to the Africa Cup of Nations final, saying violence and walk-offs had no place in football. He talks of sanctioning Senegal. Why didn’t FIFA sanction Argentina when Lionel Messi ordered his teammates off the pitch during a World Cup Qualifier game against Brazil? Lionel Messi and the Argentinian team walked off the pitch during a World Cup qualifier against Brazil in November 2023 at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, protesting violent clashes between police and Argentine fans in the stands, an act of solidarity and protest that delayed the match for about 30 minutes before they eventually returned to play. If FIFA sanctions Senegal, then they should also sanction Argentina! If FIFA sanctions Pape Thiaw, then Lionel Messi should also be sanctioned. Lastly, are they also going to look at the unbelievable behavior of the Moroccans players, ball boys, staff, and security toward the Senegalese keeper for his towel during the game? If Senegal gets sanctioned, then Morocco also should get sanctioned! There cannot be double standards for Africans!!!

Senegal wins AFCON 2025 in Morocco (Source: Ghanaweb.com

We congratulate the Senegalese team on winning the AFCON 2025; they were real Gaïndés! We also congratulate Sadio Mané who won the Fair play man of the tournament for his outstanding sportsmanship. Above all, we thank all the teams for a great tournament and Morocco for hosting. We, in no way condone breaking rules, but Senegal showed us that we have a say in our destiny, and in the face of injustice, Mané reminded us that we should be men, and stand erect!

An African Cup of Nations (AFCON) Every 4 Years?

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The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) logo

On December 20, at the beginning of The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON / CAN), we were informed by the Confederation of African football (CAF)’s president Patrice Motsepe that the AFCON, Africa’s biggest international football tournament, will now be staged every four years following an edition planned for 2028 in a major change to what is currently a biennial showpiece. Was there a vote? A referendum? A poll? before this change was made?

Pierre Ndaye Mulamba playing for Zaire at the 1974 World Cup (Source: footrdc.com)

The AFCON, Africa’s most prestigious football competition, has been held every two years since its very first edition in 1957, but over the last 15 years it has struggled to find a convenient place in the global calendar. It used to be held on even years until 2013, when it switched to odd-numbered years, to please the European football clubs, and now it will revert back to even years. It has produced legendary moments and stars like Abedi Pele of Ghana, Théophile Abega and Roger Milla of Cameroon, Laurent Pokou and Alain Gouaméné of Cote d’Ivoire, Pierre Ndaye Mulamba of Zaire (now DRC), Rashidi Yekini and Nwankwo Kanu of Nigeria, Jacques Mamounoubala of Congo-Brazzaville, El Hadji Diouf of Senegal, Salif Keïta of Mali, Hossam Hassan and Essam El-Hadary of Egypt, Rabah Madjer of Algeria, Benedict McCarthy of South Africa, and countless others. Egypt is the most successful nation in the cup’s history, winning the tournament seven times, with Cameroon winning five times and Ghana four times. A total of fifteen countries have won the cup in the tournament’s history.

Teams qualified for AFCON 2025 (Source: CAFonline.com)

Motsepe revealed the change was made as part of a significant restructuring of the international game on the continent to help it fit better into a packed global calendar. “Our focus now is on this AFCON but in 2027 we will be going to Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, and the AFCON after that will be in 2028,” Motsepe told reporters in Rabat, on the eve of the opening game of this year’s Morocco-hosted Cup of Nations. “Then after the FIFA Club World Cup in 2029 we will have the first African Nations League… with more prize money, more resources, more competition. … As part of this arrangement, the AFCON now will take place once every four years.”

Map of Africa

For a lover of African football, this decision makes no sense. It is no secret that European clubs have constantly been against the organization of the AFCON, because once every 2 years, they “lose” African players who need to go play for their countries for one month. These clubs try to delay their African players’ departures, or in some cases block them. From the pressure of these European football clubs, the AFCON was moved to once every odd years, as opposed to even years; then to summer in 2019 in Egypt; then now in Morocco, it is taking place from half of December to mid-January, so as not to affect their schedules; and even then they still refuse to release some players or delay others. Historically, the AFCON has always taken place from early January to early February, for one month. There are usually heavy rainy seasons in many countries on the continent in the summer, from June to August, or it is winter for those in the southern hemisphere; hence the prior choice to hold it at the beginning of the year. Now the AFCON will be moving to once every 4 years,… drum rolls… in the summer! Where is the smarts in that? It is clearly to satisfy those big clubs!

AFCON Morocco 2025 (Source: CAFonline.com)

The AFCON is not just a soccer tournament or the opium of the crowds, but rather a way among others to develop the continent. Every country which hosts the tournament has to build roads, infrastructures, that help towards the development of the country, and the continent as a whole. One argument that CAF gives is that it is very costly… sure, but do we need to host the tournament in 10,000 stadiums? Wouldn’t 3 or 5 be enough? Then we are told that Africans are too poor, and their football quality is not that great. But isn’t that the point of this, to develop African football? Is the point only to be a talent pool for Europe? African populations are young, and we need to develop our own. If we cannot have those players who play in the European clubs, can’t we have locals play? We are told that there will instead be an African Nations League that will have more competitions and generate more revenues. Will the same big football clubs which currently have issues suddenly stop having issues then? It sounds more like a way to scout and retrieve sprouting talents more than anything else.

The current AFCON trophy (Source: theeagleonline.com.ng)

Without being pessimistic, this sounds more like the end of African football, unless something is done about it. At this rate, there is for sure no way an African team would ever win a world cup or aspire to be competitive enough to win. After the brain drain, now we have the football drain, which has been taking place for years. Let’s face it, Europe is the best place for a player, and European clubs can afford to pay them big bucks, but shouldn’t Africans have a say on their own Cup? Couldn’t their cup be about them? To those who say we live in a global world, that is true, but in order to have global stars or for the big clubs to find the next Maradona, or Pele, there needs to be a local and regular continental cup to develop the talent!