USM Oujda Parts Ways with Ndiaye Idrissa as Morocco-Senegal AFCON Tensions Spill into Club Football

Senegalese midfielder Ndiaye Idrissa has reportedly been sacked by Moroccan Botola 2 side Union Sportive Musulmane Oujda (USMO) following allegations of “provocative” social media activity. The termination comes just days after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeals Board made the  decision to strip Senegal of the 2025/26 AFCON title and award it to Morocco—a ruling that has divided the continent.

While USMO’s official communiqué frames the exit as an “amicable” termination based on “technical evaluation,” insiders suggest a different reality. Idrissa reportedly shared content mocking the decision to crown Morocco as champions via an administrative forfeit rather than on-field play. In the current climate of heightened Moroccan national pride, these actions were seen as a bridge too far for the Oujda-based club.

The fallout stems from the January 18 AFCON final in Rabat. Senegal originally won the match 1–0 in extra time, but the match was marred by a 15-minute walk-off by the Senegalese team to protest a controversial VAR-awarded penalty.

On March 17, 2026, CAF’s Appeal Board cited Articles 82 and 84 of the regulations, ruling that Senegal had forfeited the match. The result was retroactively changed to a 3–0 victory for Morocco. This  victory has sparked outrage in Dakar and led to a wave of online friction between supporters of both nations.

For USM Oujda, the explanatory communiqué serves as a protective shield against potential FIFA litigation. By stating that the player’s rights were preserved, the club is attempting to categorize the departure as a standard professional parting. However, the timing—occurring at the peak of the Morocco-Senegal legal battle—makes the “technical performance” excuse difficult for many to believe.

“This decision remains an internal matter, managed according to contractual customs… in a manner that serves the interest of the club and the future of the player,” the club stated.

The Idrissa incident highlights the new risks facing Senegalese professionals playing in Morocco. As the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) prepares to take their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the atmosphere in the Botola leagues has become increasingly scrutinized. For Ndiaye Idrissa, the mutual agreement is a ticket out of a hostile environment. .