Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced plans to ban the use of towels by goalkeepers following a series of controversial incidents that marred the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) tournament in Morocco.
CAF referees committee president Olivier Safari in a statement said the continental football governing body may be forced to act after scenes involving goalkeepers’ towels repeatedly disrupted matches, raising concerns about fair play, crowd control and interference.
Reacting to the incidents, Safari on Tuesday questioned whether towels should continue to be allowed in the goal area under the current rules.
He said: “A towel is not equipment for a player or a goalkeeper. When a goalkeeper carries a towel, it must be done in a sporting and fair-play manner. Once it is used to shout instructions or influence the game, I believe that towel should be removed from the playing area.”
The issue first came to the fore during Nigeria’s semi-final clash against the hosts Morocco when Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was persistently distracted by stadium officials who interfered with his towels placed near the goal area.
Footage of stewards repeatedly moving or removing the towels quickly went viral on social media, sparking widespread criticism.
The controversy escalated further during the final, once again involving the host nation when Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy was subjected to similar treatment during the match.
In one widely circulated clip, Africa Footballer of the Year Achraf Hakimi was caught on camera taking Mendy’s towel from behind the goal.
Malawi is no stranger to goalkeepers’ towels sparking controversies during matches.
Last season, FCB Nyasa Bullets were fined K5.75 million after one of their supporters stole the then Blue Eagles goalkeeper Joshua Waka’s towel during their match played on July 27at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
The incident was a repeat of another incident also involving a Bullets fan who two years earlier, also wrested another former Eagles goalkeeper Brighton Munthali’s towel at the same venue.
Bullets chief executive officer Albert Chigoga in an interview while condemning the supporters’ behaviour, said CAF’s decision was long overdue.
He said: “It makes sense. African football fans believe in fetishism. The ban will, therefore, bring some sanity as it will prevent such incidents which may bring the sport into disrepute.”
