HIBAPRESS – Sports
A Guinean media website refuted claims circulating on social media, linking the Moroccan national team's victory in the 1976 Africa Cup of Nations with alleged withdrawal from a crucial match against the Guinean national team before its resumption.
The rumor claimed that the Guinean Football Federation requested the Confederation of African Football to withdraw the title of the 1976 edition from Morocco, alleging a temporary withdrawal from the final match before returning, considering this a justification for applying the "principle of reciprocity" after the controversy surrounding the 2025 edition. A Guinean website reveals the truth. However, the Guinean report stressed that this narrative is not based on any reliable historical data, confirming that the match, which took place on March 14, 1976, in Addis Ababa, was held normally without any interruption or withdrawal from the Moroccan national team. The same source explained that the match, which came within the final group of the old system of the tournament, was crucial in determining the champion, as a draw was enough for Morocco to win. Guinea took the lead through a penalty kick before Morocco equalized in the final minutes, thus securing the title. The report confirmed that the Moroccan players did not leave the field at any moment, despite protesting some refereeing decisions, noting that all historical sources, including official archives and player testimonies, categorically deny any withdrawal. The circulation of this rumor comes after the decision of the CAF Appeals Committee, which decided to withdraw the Africa Cup of Nations title from Senegal and announce the Moroccan national team's victory in the title, after the "Lions of Teranga" withdrew from the match that was held at the Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
