DR ‹ › Following a media campaign in Algeria targeting Morocco's organization of the Africa Cup of Nations, along with accusations that the Royal Moroccan Football Federation exerts influence over the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and «stripped» Senegal of the 2025 title, Algeria has turned to what it frames as diplomatic outreach in Dakar. In this context, Algeria's ambassador to Senegal, Ridha Nebais, visited the headquarters of the Senegalese Football Federation. In an official statement, the Senegalese Federation expressed its «sincere thanks and gratitude» to the Algerian ambassador, describing the meeting as «an opportunity to express, on behalf of the Senegalese sports movement, our deep gratitude to the brotherly Algerian people for the spirit of solidarity and valuable support shown on the occasion of Senegal's historic victory on January 18, 2025, in Rabat». The federation also welcomed what it called the ambassador's «commendable initiatives», aimed at establishing «fruitful cooperation and partnership» between the two federations. It further reiterated its «full readiness to work side by side with its Algerian counterpart to promote African football and strengthen the bonds of brotherhood between Senegal and Algeria». Algerian media has long promoted claims of Moroccan «control» within CAF structures and has called for the formation of a continental bloc to counter what it describes as Moroccan influence in African football. On March 17, 2026, the CAF Appeals Committee ruled that Senegal forfeited the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco (3–0), after determining that the Lions of Teranga withdrew from the match held on January 18.
