CAF officials recovered a stolen AFCON match ball from a member of the Algerian technical staff after security footage exposed the theft during their clash with Equatorial Guinea.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) launched a swift investigation to recover a stolen match ball following Wednesday’s AFCON 2025 fixture between Algeria and Equatorial Guinea.
Following the final whistle at Morocco’s Moulay Hassan Stadium, tournament organizers discovered that two of the designated 15 match balls were missing.
Security protocols were immediately activated to ensure the integrity of the tournament equipment and address the sudden disappearance of official property.
CCTV footage from the stadium provided a breakthrough, capturing a member of the Algerian technical staff taking a ball during halftime and hiding it beneath his clothing.
Despite an initial denial of involvement from the Algerian team, the tournament coordinator confronted the staff with the undeniable video evidence.
Consequently, the staff member returned the recovered ball to CAF officials, though a second ball remains missing, prompting a continued search by organizers.
Social media monitors and tournament officials have condemned the incident as “unprofessional,” citing it as a significant breach of discipline for a major international competition.
The controversy has cast a shadow over the Algerian team’s conduct, emphasizing the need for strict adherence to tournament regulations.
Organizers have stressed that maintaining high standards of professional conduct is essential for the smooth operation of the prestigious continental event.