Africa, home to about 19% of the world’s population, currently holds only 0.6% of the global data center and computing capacity. As demand for data center capacity on the continent is projected to rise to two gigawatts by 2030, an investment of at least $10 billion will be necessary to meet this growing need.

The combined installed capacity of Africa’s top five markets is under 500 MW, which is less than what France had in 2024, estimated at around 800 MW. In this context, Oracle’s new cloud region is a significant development.

Oracle’s cloud region in Casablanca aims to support AI and digital innovation, providing access to advanced cloud computing solutions. This initiative aligns with the broader goals of the European Union’s Gaia-X initiative, launched in 2020, which seeks to establish a secure and interoperable data infrastructure.

Kashifu Abdullahi, a prominent figure in Nigeria’s digital landscape, emphasized the importance of cloud technology, stating, “If digital is a lifestyle to us, then cloud is the oxygen to sustain it.” He further noted the need for African nations to control their digital infrastructure, saying, “We need to own and shape and control the oxygen to sustain our lifestyle.”

Adil Al Youssefi, another key voice in the conversation, remarked, “Fifty-four African countries cannot build individually. But we also cannot import the solutions from outside. We have to craft our own solutions there.” This highlights the necessity for local solutions to meet the continent’s unique challenges.

In addition to the Casablanca region, Oracle plans to open a second public cloud region in Settat, Morocco, further expanding its footprint in the region. This move positions Oracle as the only hyperscaler capable of delivering over 200 cloud and AI services via a public cloud.

The opening of the Casablanca cloud region is seen as a major milestone in Oracle’s commitment to supporting Morocco’s growth and its ambition to become a regional hub for AI and digital innovation, as noted by Cormac Watters, a senior executive at Oracle.

As the digital landscape in Africa continues to evolve, the implications of this cloud expansion remain significant. However, details regarding the full impact of these developments are still emerging, and the future of cloud infrastructure in Africa is yet to be fully realized.

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Senegal’s training sessions were conducted at the same facility used by the Moroccan national team, leading to further allegations of unfair treatment. Prior to the final, Senegal expressed dissatisfaction with the distribution of match tickets and the overall organization, which they deemed inadequate.

On March 17, 2026, CAF made a controversial decision to strip Senegal of its AFCON title, which they had originally won against Morocco with a score of 1-0. Following this decision, Morocco was awarded a 3-0 victory, further complicating the situation.

During the final match held on January 18, 2026, chaos erupted when Senegal’s head coach ordered the players to abandon the field after a penalty was awarded to Morocco. This led to a suspension of the match for approximately seventeen minutes as tensions escalated.

The fallout from the match has been significant, with FIFA subsequently excluding referee Jean-Jacques Ndala from officiating at the World Cup due to the controversies surrounding the AFCON final. The implications of this decision have raised questions about the officiating standards within CAF.

In response to the events, the Senegalese Football Federation has lodged an appeal against CAF’s ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). This appeal process is currently underway, and it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold.

Patrice Motsepe, the CAF president, has invited anyone alleging corruption within CAF to take legal action, stating, “If anybody wants to initiate legal action alleging that there is corruption in CAF, I don’t only welcome that, I encourage them.” This statement underscores the seriousness of the allegations and the potential for further legal ramifications.

As the situation develops, FIFA’s Pierluigi Collina emphasized the importance of quality in officiating, stating, “Quality first is the leading, non-negotiable principle in FIFA’s choice of World Cup referees.” This highlights the ongoing scrutiny of officiating standards in international football.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding the full extent of the appeal process and its potential outcomes. The Morocco Senegal final dispute continues to be a focal point of discussion in the world of football, with many awaiting the resolution of the issues at hand.

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The Senegal national football team, fresh off their victory in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), found themselves at the center of a significant controversy during the AFCON final held on January 18, 2026. The match against Morocco was marred by a contentious penalty decision that ultimately led to Senegal’s players walking off the pitch in protest. This incident has since escalated, resulting in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory, a decision that has sparked outrage among Senegalese players and fans alike.

In the aftermath of the match, Senegal’s Football Federation swiftly filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to contest the ruling. The appeal comes as the legal proceedings regarding Senegal’s protest are ongoing, with many within the team and the broader football community expressing disbelief at the CAF’s decision. Idrissa Gueye, a key player for Senegal, described the ruling as “ridiculous,” reflecting the sentiments of many who believe the team was unjustly penalized.

On March 28, 2026, Senegal paraded the AFCON trophy in Paris before a friendly match against Peru, attended by approximately 70,000 enthusiastic fans. This event served as a celebration of their championship title, despite the ongoing controversy surrounding the final. Coach Pape Thiaw emphasized the team’s pride, stating, “We know we’re African champions,” reiterating their claim to the title despite the CAF’s ruling.

The friendly match against Peru marked Senegal’s first game since the AFCON final, but it was not without its challenges. Iliman Ndiaye was ruled out due to a foot injury, which added to the team’s difficulties as they sought to move past the recent turmoil. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, a result that did little to alleviate the tension surrounding the team.

As the situation unfolds, observers are keenly watching the developments regarding Senegal’s appeal to CAS. Matthieu Reeb, a representative from CAS, assured that the arbitration proceedings would be conducted swiftly while ensuring that all parties receive a fair hearing. This commitment to a fair process is crucial as Senegal seeks to overturn the CAF’s decision and reclaim their status as AFCON champions.

The controversy surrounding the AFCON final has highlighted the complexities of football governance in Africa, particularly regarding the authority of the CAF and the rights of national teams. The CAF’s spokesperson confirmed that Senegal had forfeited the final due to their walk-off, a ruling that has been met with widespread criticism. The legal ramifications of this decision could have lasting implications for both Senegal and the CAF.

As the Senegal national football team navigates this challenging period, the outcome of their appeal remains uncertain. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the timeline for a ruling from CAS, but the football community is hopeful for a resolution that honors the integrity of the sport and the achievements of the players.

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Senegal’s victory in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) was initially celebrated, but the outcome has since been overturned by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), leading to ongoing disputes between Senegal and Morocco. Senegal had won the title in a controversial final against Morocco, with a score of 1-0. However, CAF ruled that the match result was to be overturned, awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory and the title.

In response to the ruling, Senegal plans to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The Senegalese government has also called for an independent international inquiry into CAF’s decision, highlighting the contentious nature of the final. During the match, Senegal’s players protested a penalty awarded to Morocco, which has added to the tensions surrounding the ruling.

Following the ruling, Morocco declared the case for the trophy closed, asserting their claim to the title. The situation has drawn significant attention, especially as Senegal prepared for a friendly match against Peru, which marked their first game since the AFCON final. A crowd of 70,000 was expected at Stade de France for this match, showcasing the ongoing support for Senegal.

Bally Bagayoko, a prominent figure in Senegalese football, expressed gratitude to supporters, stating, “Welcome to Saint-Denis. I wanted to thank everyone who organised this wonderful initiative. You are the pride of the residents of working-class neighbourhoods. Today, Africa is united. Everyone behind Senegal.” This sentiment reflects the unity and pride felt by Senegalese fans amidst the controversy.

As the situation develops, observers are keen to see how the appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport will unfold. The outcome could have significant implications for both Senegal and Morocco, as well as for the governance of football in Africa. The disputes surrounding the AFCON title highlight the complexities and challenges faced by football authorities in managing competitive integrity.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding the timeline for the appeal process and any potential responses from CAF or Morocco. The international football community will be closely monitoring the developments in this high-stakes dispute.

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Senegal won the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in January 2026 but was stripped of the victory weeks later due to a ruling by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The decision came after Senegal’s players left the field in protest during the final against Morocco, following a controversial penalty awarded to their opponents.

On March 28, 2026, Senegal paraded the AFCON trophy at Stade de France in Paris ahead of a friendly match against Peru. This event drew an expected crowd of 70,000, showcasing the team’s resilience and the support of their fans despite the ongoing controversy surrounding the legitimacy of the trophy.

Kalidou Koulibaly led the squad in a lap of honour with the trophy, which was presented to supporters amidst the backdrop of Senegal’s appeal against the CAF ruling, currently pending with the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The friendly against Peru marked Senegal’s first match since the AFCON final.

During the AFCON final, Senegal’s players protested a penalty awarded to Morocco, which was missed after a 14-minute delay when the team returned to the field. Initially, Senegal had scored one goal in the match, but following the CAF ruling, Morocco was awarded a 3-0 victory and the title.

Bally Bagayoko, the mayor of Saint-Denis, expressed gratitude to those who organized the parade, emphasizing the unity and pride of the Senegalese community. “Today, Africa is united. Everyone behind Senegal,” he stated, highlighting the significance of the event for the residents.

The public celebration comes just 10 days after CAF’s decision to revise the tournament history, which has left many in the football community in disbelief. Senegal has indicated they will take their appeal back to CAF and the Court of Arbitration for Sport, a process that could take up to a year to resolve.

As the situation unfolds, observers are keenly watching how the appeal process will progress and what implications it may have for Senegal’s footballing future. The Senegalese government has also called for an independent inquiry into CAF’s decision, reflecting the broader concerns regarding governance in African football.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding the timeline for the appeal’s resolution, but the sentiment among Senegalese supporters remains strong as they rally behind their team during this tumultuous period.

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The upcoming friendly match between Morocco and Ecuador raises the question: how will both teams perform as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup? Morocco is entering this match with a strong record, having not suffered defeat since August 2025, boasting 22 wins and 2 draws in their last 24 matches. In contrast, Ecuador is also in good form, maintaining a 15-match unbeaten streak with 6 wins and 9 draws.

Morocco’s recent success includes being controversially named the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations champions after Senegal’s title was stripped due to a breach of regulations. This title marks a significant achievement for Morocco, which had waited 50 years for the AFCON trophy. Coach Mohamed Ouahbi will be managing his first match against Ecuador, aiming to build on this momentum.

On the other hand, Ecuador, under coach Sebastián Beccacece, arrives with a solid defensive record, having recorded 12 clean sheets in their last 15 matches. The match will be crucial for both teams as they finalize their strategies ahead of the World Cup, where Morocco is set to face Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti, while Ecuador will compete against Ivory Coast, Curacao, and Germany.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 9:15 PM local time at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano in Madrid. Morocco is currently ranked 8th in the FIFA World Rankings, while Ecuador holds the 23rd position. This friendly match provides both teams an opportunity to assess their strengths and weaknesses.

Morocco’s expected starting lineup includes key players such as Yassine Bounou and Achraf Hakimi, while Ecuador will feature Hernán Galíndez and Enner Valencia. With both teams thriving on defensive solidity, this game has all the makings of a low-scoring affair.

As this is the first encounter between these two senior sides, the outcome remains uncertain, and fans are eager to see how each team adapts to the challenge. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the final lineups and strategies that will be employed.

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In a surprising turn of events, Morocco has been crowned the winners of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after a ruling by the CAF Appeal Board overturned Senegal’s victory. This decision, announced on March 17, 2026, comes in the wake of a controversial final match held on January 18 in Rabat, where Senegal had initially claimed the title.

The CAF Appeal Board ruled that Senegal had been stripped of their title due to their players walking off the pitch in protest against a late penalty awarded to Morocco. The final match result has been officially recorded as 3-0 in favor of Morocco, marking their second AFCON title.

During the tense final, Morocco’s Brahim Diaz had a penalty saved, while Senegal’s Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal in extra time. However, the match was marred by controversy as Senegal’s players expressed their discontent with the officiating, leading to their walk-off. This incident has raised questions about the integrity of the match and the decisions made by the referees.

In addition to the title reversal, the CAF imposed fines exceeding $1 million on both teams, along with bans for players and officials involved in the match. The ruling was the result of an appeal made by the Moroccan football governing body, the FRMF, which sought to challenge the outcome of the match.

Senegal now faces the possibility of appealing the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The CAF Appeal Board dismissed all other motions or prayers for relief, solidifying Morocco’s unexpected triumph.

Reactions to the ruling have been swift. Morocco’s coach, Walid Regragui, expressed disappointment over the image portrayed by the events, stating, “The image we’ve given of Africa is shameful.” Senegal’s coach, Pape Thiaw, acknowledged the errors made during the match, saying, “We accept the errors of the referee. We shouldn’t have done it, but it’s done and now we present our apologies to football.”

Star player Sadio Mane also weighed in on the situation, emphasizing the need for professionalism and sportsmanship, stating, “It would have been really a shame and sad to see this kind of thing, this kind of scenario happen.” The fallout from this ruling is likely to resonate within African football for some time, as both teams and their supporters grapple with the implications of this unprecedented decision.

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