Commentator Suspended Over Ikambi Mention Sparks AFCON 2025 Fallout
11 January 2026
Background
BeIN Sports recently suspended Moroccan commentator Jawad Beda from commenting on his country's matches at AFCON 2025, according to Moroccan press.
What Triggered the Decision
The move came after the Morocco-Cameroon quarterfinal, which Morocco won 2-0 last Friday. The suspension was prompted by Beda mentioning Cameroonian former international Carl-Toko Ekambi during the broadcast, referring to him as a legend.
Ekambi scored the dramatic winner against Algeria (2-1), sending Cameroon to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, despite losing the first leg 1-0.
Official Reason and Next Steps
Other reports say BeIN Sports did not classify the incident as a major professional error, but the Ekambi reference was the direct reason for Beda's removal from the Atlas Lions broadcasts during the tournament.
Morocco, the host nation, will face Nigeria in a fiery semifinal next Wednesday, while Egypt meets Senegal in the other semi-final.
And yes, if a microphone can be suspended, perhaps the next highlight reel will feature a polite nod to the producer and a very short apology in three languages.
Meanwhile Ekambi remains a legend in the memory bank, and Beda may need a travel insurance for post-match press conferences.
