South Africa’s Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie vows legal support for Senegal in explosive AFCON 2025 title row

South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has thrown his country firmly behind Senegal in the escalating controversy surrounding the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 title, declaring that the West African nation are the rightful champions and pledging legal assistance to help them reclaim the trophy.

The outspoken minister did not mince words as he reacted to the Confederation of African Football’s decision to overturn Senegal’s victory and award the title to Morocco national football team, a ruling that has sparked outrage across the continent.

“We must not beat around the bush,” McKenzie said in comments reported by SABC News. “Senegal is the African champion because football games are not won in the boardroom.”

His remarks strike at the heart of the controversy, which has divided opinion in African football. Senegal had secured a 1-0 victory in the final—an outcome widely celebrated and officially recognized before CAF’s Appeals Committee issued its stunning reversal months later.

McKenzie went a step further, offering tangible support rather than mere rhetoric. He revealed that South Africa is prepared to back Senegal with legal expertise as the dispute appears destined for escalation, potentially at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

“We will stand by Senegal and assist them; we’ve got top lawyers in this country that will help out,” he added.

The intervention from a senior government official adds a new political dimension to what was already one of the most contentious decisions in African football history. It underscores the growing perception among critics that the integrity of on-field results is being undermined by administrative rulings.

Across Senegal, the decision has been met with defiance from players, officials, and fans alike, all insisting that the result achieved on January 18, 2026, cannot and should not be erased. McKenzie’s support now amplifies that stance on a continental scale, positioning South Africa as a key ally in Senegal’s fight.

As pressure mounts on CAF, the case is increasingly expected to head to CAS, where legal arguments will clash over governance, procedure, and the sanctity of sporting outcomes. With South Africa offering its legal muscle, Senegal’s challenge could gain significant momentum.

For many observers, however, the core issue remains unchanged: whether football’s ultimate authority lies on the pitch or in the boardroom. And as McKenzie made emphatically clear, his answer—and that of many across Africa—is unequivocal.