The report, filed by Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ngambo Ndala and reviewed by Le Monde, is now emerging as a potentially decisive document ahead of a final determination by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Ndala, who officiated the high-stakes encounter which ended 1–0 in favour of Senegal, provided a detailed account of the dramatic events that disrupted the closing moments of the match. According to Le Monde, play was temporarily halted in the 97th minute due to incidents on the pitch.
“In the 97th minute, there was a temporary stoppage of play […] After about twelve minutes, the match resumed,” the report states.
Crucially, the document makes no reference to any forfeiture or abandonment of the match. Instead, it affirms that the game was completed and that Senegal secured victory under normal sporting conditions.
Amid the growing controversy, the President of the Confederation of African Football, Patrice Motsepe, is expected to arrive in Dakar on Wednesday, 8 April 2026. His visit comes at a critical moment and is likely to fuel further discussions around the disputed final and its implications for African football governance.
The emergence of this report raises serious questions over the integrity and consistency of decisions taken after the match, particularly as the case now moves toward international arbitration. Observers say the referee’s account could weigh heavily in determining whether the result on the field should stand.
However, the Confederation of African Football disciplinary jury did not rely heavily on this report when it made its controversial decision to award the victory to Morocco by default, citing the provisions of Articles 82 and 83 of its regulations.
