AFCON and the Game of Sport Power
Elenathan Kassa
Staff Writer
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is an international men’s association football competition that has been held in Africa since 1968.
Since its anti-colonial beginnings in 1957, AFCON has always been more than a game. As reported by The Elephant, the event began as a political, anti-colonial project from its founding in Khartoum, Sudan. This year’s iteration demonstrated the tournament’s evolution into a “total strategic fact,” which is an arena where infrastructure, diplomacy, and national narratives meet as reported by IRIS. Morocco’s hosting was strategic legitimization that was designed to prove its capabilities to both Africa and the world. According to Morocco World News, Commerce Minister Ryad Mezzour stated that the event generated over 1.5 billion euros in direct revenue, funded 80 percent of the infrastructure needed for the 2030 FIFA world cup, and created over 100,000 jobs. “We gained a decade of development in 24 months,” he stated.
As outlined by researchers in Modern Diplomacy, this concept is known as “sport power.” It is a political and diplomatic tool used by states to boost their legitimacy, regional influence, and global positioning. Sport power plays out on three levels. Locally, it builds a narrative of Moroccan modernization and performance. Regionally, it cemented Morocco as an African Leader. IRIS notes that the Moroccan Football Federation has 40+ partnerships with other African federations and has lent stadiums to nations in crisis, boosting its power. Globally, AFCON served as a credibility demonstrator for the 2030 World Cup, which Morocco will co-host alongside Spain and Portugal. Morocco was able to position itself as a capable bridge between the two continents by flawlessly operating nine-world class stadiums for a global audience of 500 million viewers.
However, this showcase generated a lot of concern. The tournament was funded by a controversial partnership with French energy giant TotalEnergies, whose $1.125 billion sponsorship deal with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) runs until 2029. As reported by The Athletic, advocacy groups such as Greenpeace and Fossil Free Football accuse the company of “sportswashing,” as they use football to cleanse its image. Morocco also faced domestic issues as many took to the streets to protest questionable stadium spending over public services. The Athletic also reports allegations linking TotalEnergies to war crimes and a 2021 massacre in Mozambique.
Additionally, the tournament also exposed Africa’s internal fractures. According to Culture Custoridan, CAF President Patrice Motsepe acknowledged Morocco’s frequent hosting stems from other nationals’ unwillingness or inability. This highlights a structural dependency which fed perceptions of bias as referees during matches involving Tanzania, Cameroon, and Nigeria were accused of favoring the host. This rivalry went beyond the match as it created tension between countries and reinforcing the North vs. Sub-Saharan Africa divide.
Despite this, the human spirit of AFCON persisted. One such moment involved Congolese fan Michel Kuka Mboladinga who stood motionless for hours to commemorate assistant independence hero Patrice Lumumba. As quoted in The Elephant, Mboladinga stated, “Football is more than a sport; it is a remembrance. Lumumba gave his life for our dignity.” His tribute was later honored by Algerian officials and became a viral moment of pan-African solidarity and historical consciousness.
In the end, AFCON 2025 presented as one of the most historical ones in its history. Senegal won the continent’s most prestigious sporting prize, showcasing skill and resolve. Meanwhile, Morocco secured the strategic prize by showcasing its capability through sport wrestling in huge economic returns, and a head start on 2030. This reveals how African football is a powerful tool for continental unity yet one that remains dependent on ethical compromises that diminish the overall well-being of the continent.
Image courtesy of Getty Images.
