Former Super Eagles defender Sam Sodje has criticised the handling of the ongoing dispute involving Confederation of African Football, Morocco, and Senegal, warning that the situation is damaging the image of African football.
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The controversy, which has drawn widespread attention, continues to generate debate across the continent and beyond. For Sodje, the issue is not just about the outcome of the case, but how it has been managed.
“This has not helped CAF’s reputation,” he stated, expressing concern over the global perception of African football governance.
According to Sodje, revisiting and prolonging the case has only made matters worse, turning what could have been a contained issue into a highly public and messy situation.
“It could have been handled better,” he implied, suggesting that the dispute might have been resolved more discreetly.
The former international believes that the ongoing saga has exposed weaknesses in the administration of African football, particularly in terms of communication, consistency, and decision-making.
For him, the longer the issue drags on, the greater the damage to CAF’s credibility.
“This is not a good look,” he stressed, highlighting the importance of maintaining trust and professionalism in the sport’s governing body.
Sodje’s comments reflect a growing frustration among players and stakeholders, many of whom feel that off-field controversies are overshadowing the progress being made on the pitch.
African football has continued to produce world-class players and competitive teams, but governance issues remain a recurring concern.
For Sodje, the focus should now be on resolving the dispute swiftly and restoring confidence in CAF’s leadership.
As the situation unfolds, the spotlight remains firmly on how the governing body handles the matter moving forward.
Because in modern football, reputation matters.
And as Sodje warns, once it is damaged, it can be difficult to rebuild.
