As the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025) in Morocco approaches its kickoff, a heated controversy is raging on African social media, particularly in Ivory Coast. The cause: the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) decision to allow national broadcasters to air only half of the tournament's matches .

This restriction, perceived as a denial of access to competition funded by the people, quickly sparked outrage.

Influencers' anger: "Our AFCON belongs to the people"

Several prominent Ivorian influencers in Francophone Africa have spearheaded this digital protest, multiplying viral statements to denounce what they call " injustice " and defend access to all matches on national channels.

Their criticisms openly target the CAF and the exclusive broadcasting of the competition by a foreign entity (Canal+), which they deem detrimental to African populations:

1. Apoutchou National protests: "How can the CAF refuse to sell all the matches to African TV channels that it sold to Canal+? An African Cup sold exclusively to a French company? That's nonsense! How can they sell us half of our AFCON?"
2. Gbi de Fer calls for action: "CAF must stop focusing on business and think about the people. The AFCON is our pride. We don't want crumbs, we want all 52 matches broadcast free-to-air!"
3. Stoni , named best influencer of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, states: "Canal+ can continue to make money, but not at the expense of our channels and our people. Free television must remain comprehensive."
4. Franck Zorro Bi insists on the right to the full broadcast: "When you finance a competition, you have the right to watch it in its entirety. Depriving people of half the matches is depriving Africa of its celebration!"

The Ivorian-Lebanese influencer Hassan Hayek even called for a boycott : "Canal+ wants to steal Africa's own AFCON. This is no longer business, it's predation. Let's boycott if we are being treated with contempt."

A pan-African movement against a "monopoly"

The movement isn't limited to Ivory Coast. Hundreds of thousands of internet users, from Dakar to Kinshasa , are expressing their support for national broadcasters like RTI and NCI. One widely shared comment illustrates the frustration: "Even for football matches, they're taking games away from our own national channels in favor of a foreign one. And they're not even giving us the option to buy all the matches. It's outrageous!"

The CAF is also being criticized for its "minimalist" communication in the face of widespread anger. For Africans, the message is clear: the Africa Cup of Nations belongs to the people , not to a monopoly.

The case is becoming international.

While negotiations continue between the CAF and around twenty national channels to try to expand free-to-air broadcasting rights, the standoff shows no sign of abating.

The controversy has grown to such an extent that major international media outlets, such as France 24, BBC, TV5 and RFI , are now widely reporting on it, highlighting the deep disappointment and disagreement with a decision deemed unfair, opaque and humiliating for the African continent.