Morocco’s 1976 AFCON Title Was Legitimate: Guinean Football Federation Denies Withdrawal Claims, Dismisses Social Media Speculation
The Guinean Football Federation (FGF) has moved to end speculation surrounding Morocco’s historic 1976 Africa Cup of Nations triumph, firmly rejecting claims that the Atlas Lions withdrew from the field during their decisive match against Guinea.
The controversy resurfaced in the wake of Senegal’s dispossession of the 2025 AFCON title, after their temporary withdrawal in the final against Ivory Coast. Critics suggested Morocco had committed a similar act during their first continental victory in 1976.
Former Guinean international Ismaël Sylla, known as ‘Eusébio,’ dismissed the allegations outright.
‘No, that’s not true. It wasn’t true. I played 90 minutes. There were never any incidents, neither after Guinea’s goal, nor after Morocco’s equalizer,’ he said, recalling the 1-1 draw that sealed Morocco’s place at the top of the final group standings.
The FGF reinforced Sylla’s testimony with an official statement, confirming that Morocco ‘finished at the top of this final group and was regularly crowned African champion, Guinea occupying second place.’
The federation also denied reports that it intended to challenge Morocco’s title before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
‘The Guinean Football Federation brings to the attention of national and international public opinion that it has not initiated any proceedings either with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) or with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in connection with the 1976 Africa Cup of Nations,’ the statement read.
‘Information relayed on various media, including social networks, wrongly evokes a supposed move by Guinea to contest the result of the match between Syli National and Morocco during this competition. The Guinean Football Federation wishes to specify, in a spirit of responsibility and appeasement, that this information is inaccurate and has no official basis.’
