Is Morocco's 1976 AFCON Title Safe? Guinea FA Breaks Silence
22 March 2026
Guinea FA responds to 1976 AFCON title rumors
The Guinea Football Federation issued an official statement on Sunday addressing rumors that it had initiated procedures with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to challenge the Africa Cup of Nations title won in 1976.
Media reports had suggested that Guinea planned to appeal to CAF to strip Morocco of the title, echoing comparisons with the Senegal outcome in 2025.
According to Africa Soccer, Guinea allegedly sought to apply the rules to sanction Morocco, which reportedly benefited from the same regulations in 2025.
On social media and in some outlets, claims circulated that Morocco had left the pitch in the decisive 1976 match. The federation’s statement clarifies that no procedures with CAS or CAF have been started.
It adds that recent information spread through media channels was inaccurate and has no official basis. Historic facts: Guinea vs Morocco occurred on March 14, 1976 in Addis Ababa, refereed by Zambian Niranda Chaio, ending 1-1. Sherif Suleiman opened the scoring for Guinea at 33, while Ahmed Makrouh, known as Papa, equalized for Morocco at 86.
The federation notes that, under the rules at the time, the competition used a final group stage rather than a classic final to determine the champion. Morocco topped the final group and was crowned Africa champions, with Guinea in second place. The Guinea Football Federation reiterates its commitment to historical accuracy and competition rules.
They urge media and all stakeholders to prioritize reliable information and avoid sensationalism. CAF remains dedicated to fair play and mutual respect in African football.
Finally, the federation invites readers to consider the long history of AFCON and to trust verified reporting over rumors.
Sniper punchline 1: History does not get censored by rumors; it keeps scoring in the records. Sniper punchline 2: If you miss the target with gossip, at least your punchline should be on point because the scoreline rarely changes with chatter.
