African soccer's showpiece games are never far from controversy. Here are some of the biggest

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — Two months after the chaotic end to the Africa Cup of Nations final between Senegal and Morocco, the outcome of the game remains in dispute.

Senegal was stripped of its title on Tuesday when African soccer's governing body ruled it had forfeited the final in January by walking off the field. The Confederation of African Football’s appeals board turned Senegal's 1-0 win in extra time into a 3-0 default victory for Morocco.

But the Teranga Lions are not giving up the title without a fight. Senegal has vowed to appeal CAF's ruling to the sport's highest court — meaning the final say could be as much as a year away.

CAF's unprecedented decision to strip Senegal of the trophy is just the latest controversy for African soccer and its governing body. Here are some others.

Togo reluctantly pulled out of the 2010 Africa Cup after a deadly ambush on its team bus in Cabinda in northern Angola killed three people and injured eight. The players wanted to compete in honor of the assistant coach, team spokesman and Angolan bus driver who were killed in the attack, but they were ordered home by then-Togolese Prime Minister Gilbert Houngbo, who said Angola failed to protect the team.

Togo was disqualified from the tournament, and CAF denied the team's request to rejoin. The governing body subsequently banned Togo from the next two editions, saying the decision to withdraw was politically influenced.

Every Africa Cup since 2013 has been moved because of problems with the original host, starting when South Africa hosted the 2013 tournament because of war in Libya. Morocco was replaced for the 2015 edition by Equatorial Guinea. Libya was supposed to host the 2017 but was replaced by Gabon.

CAF stripped Cameroon of hosting rights for the 2019 Africa Cup, citing infrastructural delay and insecurity in the country’s western region. Egypt hosted the tournament in place of Cameroon, which hosted the following edition in place of Ivory Coast, which hosted the following edition in place of Guinea.

Guinea was supposed to host the latest edition, but the West African country was stripped of the tournament in 2022 when CAF determined it would not have adequate infrastructure and facilities in place. Morocco stepped in as host.

The 2015 Africa Cup semifinal between host Equatorial Guinea and Ghana descended into chaos when home fans at the Malabo Stadium became irate after the Black Stars scored two late goals in the first half. Riot police were called in to protect Ghana’s players and fans as spectators began to throw bottles at them.

After Ghana scored a third goal in the second half and water bottles again began to rain down, the match was stopped and the team’s fans were escorted out of the stadium for their own safety. A police helicopter appeared over the stadium several times.

The winner of the CAF Champions League final in 2019 was ultimately decided by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, after Moroccan team Wydad of Casablanca walked off in the second leg against Tunisian team Espérance de Tunis because it had a goal ruled out. Wydad players demanded a VAR review but the system was not functioning at the time, so they refused to play.

Espérance was awarded the trophy, but CAF subsequently ordered its return so the match could be replayed. Both sides disagreed. CAS ultimately confirmed Espérance was the champion.

A referee in charge of a 2021 Africa Cup match between Mali and Tunisia caused consternation when he twice blew the final whistle too early when Mali was 1-0 up. It caused a lengthy debate about whether the match would have to be restarted. Tunisia refused to return 30 minutes later when officials tried to restart the game, with the coach saying his players were already in their ice baths by then. Mali was awarded the victory.

There had also been a gun battle between separatist rebels and government soldiers that left two dead and five injured in a city close to where the Mali squad was based. Rebels also fired guns indiscriminately near a training stadium used by the Mali team.

Also at the 2021 tournament — which was played in early 2022 in Cameroon — a deadly stadium crush at the 60,000-capacity Olembe Stadium in the capital Yaoundé killed at least eight people and injured 38, some of them seriously.

Witnesses blamed security officials for making fatal errors that led to a stampede when thousands of fans surged to the gate during the last-16 game between tournament host Cameroon and Comoros.

The final of the 2025 edition between host nation Morocco and Senegal on Jan. 18, 2026 ended in chaos when Senegal had a goal ruled out in stoppage time and then Morocco was awarded a potentially game-deciding penalty.

Scuffles broke out between rival players, while furious Senegal fans behind one of the goals tried to reach the field, where they battled with stewards.

Senegal coach Pape Thiaw led most of his players off after some minutes and it was unclear if the game could continue. But they returned after around 10 minutes later and play resumed with Morocco star Brahim Díaz having his “Panenka”-style penalty saved by Édouard Mendy. Senegal’s Pape Gueye scored the only goal in extra time.

Fahey wrote from Berlin.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

FILE - Senegal's Sadio Mane holds the trophy aloft as he celebrates with teammates after winning the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Youssef Loulidi, File)

FILE - Morocco players react after losing the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Youssef Loulidi, File)

FILE - Sebegalese players celebrate after winning the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco, in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy, File)

FILE - Players from both sides clash after a controversial penalty was awarded to Morocco late on during the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Youssef Loulidi, File)

FILE - Senegal's Idrissa Gueye calls players to walk off the ptich during the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco, in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy, File)

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. (AP) — President Donald Trump paid his respects on Wednesday at a Delaware military base where the remains of six U.S. service members killed in the crash of a refueling aircraft were returned to their families.

It was the second time since launching the war with Iran on Feb. 28 that the Republican president will attend the solemn military ritual known as a dignified transfer, which he once described as the “toughest thing” he has had to do as commander in chief.

Accompanying Trump were Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, House Speaker Mike Johnson, Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and lawmakers including Sens. Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt, both Alabama Republicans.

All six crew members of a KC-135 Air Force refueling aircraft were killed last week in a plane crash over friendly territory in western Iraq while supporting operations against Iran. They were from Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and Washington state.

“Every person on that aircraft carried a weight most Americans will never see, and they carried it with professionalism, courage, and a level of quiet excellence that deserves to be recognized,” retired Lt. Col Ernesto Nisperos, a friend of one of those killed, said in a text message Wednesday.

The crash brought the U.S. death toll in Operation Epic Fury to at least 13 service members. About 200 U.S. service members have been injured, including 10 severely, the Pentagon has said.

Wednesday's dignified transfer was closed to news media coverage at the request of the families in accordance with military policy. Trump spent just under two hours on the ground and didn't speak to reporters leaving Air Force One or returning to it.

Trump last traveled to Dover Air Force Base on March 7 for the dignified transfer of six U.S. service members who were killed by a drone strike at a command center in Kuwait. He saluted as flag-draped transfer cases containing the remains of the fallen service members were carried from military aircraft to vehicles waiting to take them to the base's mortuary facility to prepare them for their final resting place.

“It's the bad part of war,” he told reporters afterward. Asked then if he worried about having to make multiple trips to the base for additional dignified transfers as the war continued, he said, “I'm sure. I hate to do it, but it's a part of war, isn't it?”

U.S. Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Middle East, said that the crash followed an unspecified incident involving two aircraft in “friendly airspace” over Iraq but that the loss of the aircraft during a combat mission was “not due to hostile or friendly fire.” The circumstances were under investigation. The other plane landed safely.

The crash killed three people assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida: Maj. John A. “Alex” Klinner, 33, who served in Birmingham, Alabama; Capt. Ariana Linse Savino, 31, of Covington, Washington; and Tech. Sgt. Ashley Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Kentucky.

Klinner, who left behind a wife, a 2-year-old son and 7-month-old twins, was known for his steady command and goofy nature, as well as a willingness to help others. Pruitt’s husband described her as a “radiant” woman who lit up the room. Savino was a friend, mentee and “source of positive energy” who was proud of her Puerto Rican heritage and inspired young Latinas, said Nisperos, who is serving as spokesman for her family.

“She had had this warmth that made you feel seen, a strength that showed up in everything she touched, and a spark — that spice — that made her unforgettable,” Nisperos said. “If you knew her, even for a moment, you knew you were in the presence of someone who was going to change the world.”

The three others were assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio: Capt. Seth Koval, 38, a resident of Stoutsville, Ohio, who was from Mooresville, Indiana; Capt. Curtis Angst, 30, who lived in Columbus; and Master Sgt. Tyler Simmons, 28, of Columbus.

Koval grew up dreaming of becoming a pilot, according to his wife, who described him as a loving, generous “fixer of all things.” Angst’s family said his life was defined by service, generosity and “a genuine love for people.” Simmons loved confiding in his 85-year-old grandmother and working out with her, Sen. Jon Husted said Tuesday, when he and Sen. Bernie Moreno honored the Ohio airmen on the Senate floor.

“To the mom and dad of these three young soldiers, I can’t even process what you’re going through. I can’t even imagine the emotions that you’re feeling,” Moreno said. “Just know that America is grateful beyond words for the sacrifice that your heroic young sons made.”

Associated Press writers Holly Ramer in Concord, N.H., and Hallie Golden in Seattle contributed to this report.

President Donald Trump pumps his fist as he walks to depart on Marine One from the South Lawn of the White House, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

This image provided by the Ohio National Guard shows Tech Sgt. Tyler Simmons. (Ohio National Guard via AP)

This image provided by the Ohio National Guard shows Capt. Seth R. Koval. (Ohio National Guard via AP)

This image provided by the Ohio National Guard shows Capt. Curtis J. Angst. (Ohio National Guard via AP)

FILE - A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker refueling tanker aircraft takes off from the Kadena Air Base airfield in Kadena town, west of Okinawa, southern Japan, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae, File)

FILE - President Donald Trump salutes as an Army carry team moves a flag-draped transfer case with the remains of Sgt. Declan Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa, who was killed in a drone strike at a command center in Kuwait after the U.S. and Israel launched its military campaign against Iran, during a casualty return, March 7, 2026, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, File)

President Donald Trump steps off Air Force One, Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)