Guinea demands CAF review 1976 AFCON final after Morocco walkout.

The Guinea Football Federation has demanded CAF reassign the 1976 AFCON title to Guinea following Morocco’s brief walkout during their 1-1 draw, arguing that the same disciplinary standards used to strip Senegal of the 2025 AFCON title 58 days after winning—and award it to Morocco for Senegal’s walkout—should apply retroactively to historical matches, declaring “Give us back our 1976 AFCON trophy.”

The Guinea Football Federation has called on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to review the outcome of the 1976 Africa Cup of Nations, arguing that the title should be reassigned following Morocco’s walkout that year in light of a recent disciplinary ruling against Senegal. CAF stripped Senegal of their 2025 AFCON title 58 days after the tournament ended, declaring hosts Morocco as winners after Senegal’s walkout despite winning on the pitch. Guinea now says similar standards should apply to historical cases.

The federation pointed to the decisive 1976 match between Morocco and Guinea, played under a round-robin format involving four teams. Morocco needed only a draw, while Guinea required a win to secure the title. Guinea took the lead in the 33rd minute through Chérif Souleymane. During the match, Moroccan players briefly walked off the pitch in protest of a refereeing decision but later returned to continue play. Ahmed Makrouh equalised in the 86th minute, sealing a 1-1 draw. Morocco finished top of the group with five points and were crowned champions, while Guinea placed second.

Guinea argued the incident should be reassessed using principles applied in the 2025 ruling. The federation stated: “Give us back our 1976 AFCON trophy,” adding that retroactive sanctions should apply where teams left the pitch during play. Sports legal analysts noted that CAF regulations, including Article 84, were not in force in 1976 and are rarely applied retroactively. CAF has yet to respond to Guinea’s request, but observers say the appeal could test CAF’s willingness to revisit historical decisions.