Senegal’s national team made a bold statement on Saturday as they paraded the Africa Cup of Nations trophy ahead of their international friendly against Peru at the Stade de France.
Despite being stripped of the title earlier this month, the West African side defiantly showcased the trophy, reinforcing their claim as rightful champions.
Team captain Kalidou Koulibaly led his teammates on a celebratory lap of honour, drawing cheers from fans in attendance.
The moment was further electrified by a pre-match performance from Senegalese music icon Youssou N’Dour, adding cultural flair to an already symbolic display.
The Confederation of African Football had on March 17 awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory over Senegal in the January final, reversing the 1-0 scoreline from the match in Rabat.
The governing body cited a 14-minute walk-off by Senegal players during the final, staged in protest at the award of a penalty, as grounds for the decision.
Senegal have since lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland, but Morocco have described the matter as settled.
Head coach Pape Thiaw, speaking for the first time since Caf’s appeal board handed the title to Morocco, insisted his side remained the true champions of Africa.
“We know we’re African champions. We’re going to keep working to win more trophies. It’s clear in our minds that competitions and trophies are won on the pitch. We’ve done that; we’re African champions,” Thiaw said on Friday.
Thiaw, who was at the centre of the walk-off controversy and faced sanctions for his role in it, said he was focused on keeping his squad clear of the ongoing dispute.
He will be permitted to lead Senegal at the 2026 World Cup in June. Saturday’s friendly is followed by another against neighbours Gambia in Dakar on Tuesday.
“The most important thing is not to get distracted,” he added.
Morocco, meanwhile, drew 1-1 with Ecuador in a friendly in Madrid on Friday, their first outing since the contentious ruling.
The match was also new coach Mohamed Ouahbi’s debut in charge, coming three months before the World Cup.
Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou signalled that Morocco had no interest in revisiting the controversy.
“We’re focused on what’s to come and not getting into that. The answer from us would be what our federation said and that’s all. We’re looking forwards,” he said.
Morocco have won the Afcon only once before, in 1976. With the country set to co-host the 2026 World Cup, Moroccan attention has shifted firmly to the summer tournament and Ouahbi’s tactical blueprint.
