The Confederation of African Football is planning to enforce stricter regulations banning goalkeepers from using towels in their goal areas following the controversial incidents that marred the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

CAF’s head of referees, Olivier Safari Kabene, has declared that towels will no longer be permitted behind goalposts, describing them as tools for gamesmanship and psychological distraction that violate the Laws of the Game.

The announcement comes after Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali and Senegalese shot-stopper Édouard Mendy were repeatedly targeted by Moroccan ball boys, security personnel and even players who removed their towels during crucial matches at the tournament.

Speaking to Canal+ Sports Afrique, Kabene stated: “It is very simple, and we have been clear with our match officials. According to the Laws of the Game, the field of play must remain clear of any foreign objects that are not part of the players’ equipment. A towel is not considered player equipment. It is not a jersey, it is not a pair of shorts, and it is not a pair of gloves.”

The CAF official added that while goalkeepers may bring towels, they must be used in a sporting manner without influencing the game. He suggested that as soon as a goalkeeper starts shouting or affecting play, the towel should be removed from the field.

The towel controversy reached its peak during Nigeria’s semi-final against Morocco, where Nwabali had his towels stolen multiple times by ball boys and stadium officials. The Chippa United goalkeeper responded with an explicit middle-finger gesture toward the Moroccan crowd, which has now landed him in potential disciplinary trouble.

Nwabali later mocked the incident on social media after Morocco lost the final to Senegal, writing in pidgin English: “Make Una use all my towel Una carry wipe Una tears” (Use all the towels you took to wipe your tears).

The situation escalated further during the final between Senegal and Morocco, where reserve goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf became an unlikely hero by physically protecting Mendy’s towels throughout the match in rainy conditions.

Video footage showed Diouf wrestling with ball boys and being dragged across the pitch as he attempted to safeguard the towels. At one point, he had to fend off PSV Eindhoven winger Ismael Saibari, who stood between him and Mendy while trying to hand over the towel.

Paris Saint-Germain right-back Achraf Hakimi was also caught on camera throwing Mendy’s towel away during the match, an action that sparked widespread condemnation across African football.

Diouf later explained the bizarre confrontation: “Imagine, a ball boy told me, ‘Be fair play.’ I replied, ‘Fair play in what way? You’re the ones taking the towels, and I’m the one being unfair when all I’m doing is handing out towels?’ I’m surprised, I don’t understand.”

According to reports, CAF has charged both Nwabali and potentially other players involved in the towel incidents, with sanctions expected to be announced following formal disciplinary proceedings.

However, Kabene’s comments have sparked outrage among fans and analysts who argue that the goalkeepers were victims rather than perpetrators. Many pointed out that Nwabali and Mendy kept their towels behind the goal where they did not interfere with play, and were merely trying to maintain grip in wet conditions.

Football fans have criticized CAF for appearing to punish goalkeepers rather than addressing the unsporting behavior of Moroccan officials, ball boys and players who orchestrated the towel thefts.

The proposed ban has been labeled unpopular, with critics arguing that it penalizes goalkeepers for seeking basic comfort and functionality during matches, particularly in adverse weather conditions where maintaining grip is essential for performance and safety.

Nigeria’s Super Falcons have asserted their dominance in African women’s football after placing four players in the Confederation of African Football’s official Best XI for the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

Captain Rasheedat Ajibade, Michelle Alozie, Esther Okoronkwo and goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie were selected following Nigeria’s record-extending 10th continental championship triumph in Morocco.

Ajibade, who plays for Atletico Madrid, was crowned Player of the Tournament after leading Nigeria to a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over hosts Morocco in the final. The midfielder collected three Player of the Match awards during the competition and sacrificed her usual attacking role to orchestrate Nigeria’s transitions from deeper positions.

Nnadozie earned recognition as the tournament’s Best Goalkeeper after keeping four clean sheets in Nigeria’s six matches, cementing her reputation as one of Africa’s most reliable shot-stoppers. The Paris FC goalkeeper demonstrated exceptional command of her area throughout the championship.

Alozie proved instrumental at right-back, combining defensive solidity with attacking thrust that helped Nigeria maintain balance throughout their title run. Her overlapping runs and crucial goal in the semi-final against South Africa, which propelled the Falcons into the final, earned widespread praise from fans and analysts.

Okoronkwo’s performances peaked during the tournament’s decisive stages, contributing two goals and four assists overall. Her attacking contributions proved vital, including a goal and an assist in the final that helped Nigeria overturn a two-goal deficit against Morocco.

The Best XI selection underlines Nigeria’s superiority over other competing nations at the continental showpiece. Morocco, despite reaching the final on home soil, placed only two players on the list through Ghizlane Chebbak and Ibtissam Jraidi.

South Africa, who finished fourth after losing the bronze medal match to Ghana on penalties, contributed three representatives: Bambanani Mbane, Karabo Dhlamini and Refiloe Jane. Ghana’s Portia Boakye and Grace Asantewaa complete the 11-player selection.

Nigeria’s dominance extended beyond individual recognition to collective achievement. The Super Falcons rallied from two goals down at halftime in the final, with penalties in the 64th minute followed by an equalizer in the 77th minute setting the stage for Jennifer Echegini’s 88th-minute winner in Rabat.

The tournament victory strengthened Nigeria’s position as Africa’s preeminent women’s football nation and validated the investments made in developing the women’s game domestically and internationally through strategic player placement in top European leagues.

Following their continental triumph, President Bola Tinubu honored each of the 24 squad members with national awards as Officers of the Order of the Niger, three-bedroom apartments, and substantial cash rewards in recognition of their achievement.

The Super Falcons have since qualified for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after defeating Benin Republic 3-1 on aggregate, maintaining their status as defending champions heading into next year’s tournament.

NFF Technical Director Austin Eguavoen criticizes absence of home-based players in Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 squad, questioning why no NPFL players were selected when some squad members didn’t feature.Nigeria Football Federation Technical Director Austin Eguavoen has expressed disappointment over the complete absence of Nigeria Premier Football League players in the Super Eagles squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Speaking in an interview with Footy Africa, Eguavoen revealed that several players from the domestic league were good enough to make the final squad but were overlooked by head coach Eric Chelle for the continental tournament.

The former Super Eagles coach questioned the logic behind excluding home-based players, especially when some squad members did not feature at all during the competition.

“I felt disappointed that we did not include some NPFL players in the AFCON squad. Some players in the team may not even get a minute of action, so why couldn’t we include a few players from the local league? At least three or four would have been better,” Eguavoen said.

Eguavoen warned against judging the NPFL solely based on Nigeria’s struggles at the African Nations Championship, which is reserved for home-based players. He stressed that the domestic league possesses quality players capable of competing at major tournaments.

“The players are not bad, and just because we didn’t do well at CHAN doesn’t mean we should throw the baby out with the bathwater. This is something we need to look into because it speaks volumes when players come directly from the local league into a major tournament like AFCON,” he added.

Despite his concerns, Eguavoen clarified that the NFF would not impose players on Chelle, emphasizing that team selection remains the coach’s sole responsibility.

“We can only advise him; we cannot force players on him. I must also say that he has a lot of respect for the players and wants to see how he can gradually bring them through. We have discussed this a few times, but the timing has to be right,” Eguavoen explained.

The NFF Technical Director also suggested that Chelle’s limited exposure to the domestic league may have affected player assessment, urging the coach to spend more time in Nigeria to better evaluate local talent.

“If he stays in the country more often, he will have better opportunities to visit venues and watch players. If he doesn’t, it becomes more difficult,” he said.

Nigeria finished third at AFCON 2025, defeating Egypt on penalties in the bronze medal match after losing to Morocco in the semi-finals.