Guinean Veteran ‘Eusébio Denies Morocco Walk-Off in 1976 AFCON

A fresh controversy has emerged around Morocco’s 1976 Africa Cup of Nations triumph, with claims circulating online that the Atlas Lions left the pitch during their decisive match against Guinea.

The rumor, amplified by current tensions following CAF’s decision on the 2025 AFCON final, suggested Morocco had walked off in protest, but a direct witness has now set the record straight.

Former Guinean international Ismaël Sylla, nicknamed ‘Eusébio,’ who played in that match, categorically denied the claims in an interview with journalist Tanou Diallo.

‘No, that’s not true. It was not true,’ Sylla said firmly. ‘I played 90 minutes. There were never any incidents, neither after Guinea’s goal, nor after Morocco’s equaliser.’

Sylla’s testimony, supported by existing archive footage, confirms that the game was played to completion without disruption.

The match was not a final in the traditional sense, as the tournament format at the time did not include a single final fixture.

The resurfacing of this rumor highlights how historical narratives can be distorted in moments of heightened debate.