What was meant to be a triumphant celebration of African football has become a tragic showcase of profound failure. AFCON 2026 in Morocco, rather than uniting the continent in a festival of sport, has descended into a dark comedy of errors, exposing deep fractures in African football administration and a blatant disregard for basic dignity and safety.
## Beyond Poor Logistics: A Humanitarian Crisis
The tournament’s problems extend far beyond mere ticketing chaos or transportation delays—issues severe enough on their own. They have escalated into a full-blown crisis with fatal consequences.
### A Deadly Failure: Journalists Pay the Ultimate Price
The organizational chaos reached its tragic peak with the death of African journalists covering the event:
* The **Malian journalist**, who carried the hopes of a nation to the world.
* The **Cameroonian journalist**, who left behind dreams and a family awaiting his return.
These are not mere "unfortunate accidents." They are the direct, predictable result of systemic neglect and catastrophic planning. How does a continent accept the death of its sons during an event meant to symbolize unity and achievement?
## The Insult to African Delegations: Second-Class Treatment on Home Soil
Complaints from participating nations paint a picture of deliberate marginalization:
* **International delegations treated with respect**, while African counterparts are sidelined and ignored.
* **Unsafe and substandard accommodations** that fail to meet basic global hosting norms.
* **A lack of essential facilities**, including proper sanitation, in the 21st century.
* **Complete disregard for the logistical needs** of teams, staff, and media.
## A Refereeing Circus: When VAR Becomes a Prop
On the pitch, the spectacle is equally damaging:
* **Blatant, match-altering errors** made while Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology sits unused or misapplied.
* **Arbitrary decisions** that rob teams of their rightful outcomes.
* **A flagrant disregard** for the international laws of the game.
* **Persistent, vocal complaints** from teams and experts that fall on willfully deaf ears.
## The Loudest Statement: CAF's Deafening Silence
Perhaps most damning of all is the suspicious silence and inaction from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) itself:
* **A glaring lack of accountability** for grave errors and lost lives.
* **Dismissal of the legitimate concerns** raised by participating member associations.
* **A continued propaganda campaign** portraying a successful event, as if nothing is wrong.
* **A fundamental refusal to take responsibility** for the safety and dignity of its guests.
## Is This the Africa We Accept?
AFCON 2026 will not be remembered as a moment of pride. It will be etched in history as a case study in self-inflicted humiliation. When a continent cannot organize its premier sporting event with competence and care, when lives are lost in tournament hotels, and when its own participating nations are disrespected—what message does this send to the world?
This tournament has transcended sport. It has become:
* **A microcosm of the governance crisis** plaguing our continental institutions.
* **Proof of the marginalization of the African individual**, even on his own soil.
* **A clear signal** that politics and profit are valued above dignity, safety, and sporting integrity.
The pressing question remains: How many more lives must be lost? How much more dignity must be sacrificed before we awaken and refuse to accept this "shame" as our inevitable reality?
**As Africans, the time for polite complaint is over. The real shame is not the tournament's failure, but our continued tolerance of it.**