DISINFO ALERT: We're not contesting Morocco's 1976 AFCON victory, says Guinean FA

The Guinean Football Federation (FGF) says it has not filed any appeal to contest Morocco’s 1976 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) triumph before any football judicial body.

The federation was responding to viral claims that it had filed a protest with CAF, demanding that the 1976 AFCON be awarded to the country due to a reported walkout by Morocco in the final game of the competition.

The reports spread following a CAF Appeals Board’s verdict that stripped Senegal of the 2025 AFCON title and named Morocco the champions.

The ruling said Senegal had breached Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations after several of its players walked off the pitch to their dressing room in protest of a referee’s decision.

In a statement on Sunday, the Guinean FA described the stories of its appeal as “inaccurate” and with “no official basis”.

“In recent days, information circulating on various media, particularly social networks, has falsely suggested that Guinea had taken steps to contest the result of the match between the Syli National and Morocco during this competition,” the statement reads.

“The Guinean Football Federation wishes to clarify, in a spirit of responsibility and reconciliation, that this information is inaccurate and has no official basis.

“Regarding the historical facts, the Guinean Football Federation (FGF) recalls that the Guinea-Morocco match was played on March 14, 1976, in Addis Ababa, under the direction of Zambian referee Nyirenda Chayu.

“It ended in a 1-1 draw, with Guinea opening the scoring in the 330th minute through Chérif Souleymane, before Morocco equalised in the 86th minute through Ahmed Makrouh, known as ‘Baba.'”

The format of the 1976 AFCON differed from the current arrangement. Only eight teams participated, divided into two groups of four. The top two teams from each group qualified for the final round, where they played each other in a round-robin format, and the team with the most points won the trophy.

Morocco, Nigeria, Egypt and Guinea were the four teams that advanced to the last round. After the first two rounds of games, only Morocco and Guinea stood a chance of winning the trophy based on accumulated points. Incidentally, both teams were scheduled to play each other in the last game. Guinea needed a victory to clinch the title, while a draw would be sufficient for Morocco.

The Atlas Lions scored a late goal by Makrouh to secure a 1-1 draw and won their first-ever AFCON trophy.

The Senegalese FA said it has filed an urgent appeal of the CAF Appeals Board verdict before the CAS.

Click here to read article