According to a report by Morocco World News, tournament officials discovered shortly after the final whistle that two of the 15 match balls allocated for the fixture were missing.

The disappearance immediately raised concerns regarding equipment control and professionalism during one of the continent's flagship competitions.

A review of the stadium's security footage quickly identified the source of the issue. Surveillance cameras showed a member of the Algerian technical staff taking one of the match balls during halftime and concealing it under his clothing before leaving the pitch area.

CAF officials were able to recover the first ball shortly thereafter, but the second ball has yet to be accounted for, prompting continued internal inquiries by tournament organisers.

In response to the incident, CAF's tournament coordinator reportedly went directly to the Algerian team's dressing room to address the matter.

Initial denials were met with firm action after officials presented clear video evidence of the act. Following the confrontation, the stolen ball was returned to CAF representatives.

The incident drew criticism from tournament monitors on social media, who labelled the conduct "unprofessional" and warned that such behaviour undermines the standards expected at major international tournaments.

CAF has not yet confirmed whether further disciplinary action will be taken, but the episode has highlighted the importance of strict oversight, accountability, and adherence to regulations by all participating teams and officials.

As AFCON 2025 continues, organisers are expected to reinforce security and matchday protocols to ensure the integrity and smooth running of the competition remains uncompromised.

CAF acts swiftly following match ball theft at AFCON 2025