Senegal’s national team staged a bold show of defiance on Saturday, parading the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy at the Stade de France despite being officially stripped of the title by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The symbolic gesture took place ahead of an international friendly against Peru in Paris, where captain Kalidou Koulibaly led teammates on a lap of honour with the trophy in front of thousands of supporters.
CAF had earlier overturned Senegal’s 1-0 victory over Morocco in the AFCON final, ruling that the West African side forfeited the match after briefly walking off the pitch in protest over a controversial penalty decision. The result was subsequently awarded as a 3-0 win to Morocco.
Despite the ruling, Senegal has continued to maintain its claim as the rightful African champion. The country’s football federation described the decision as unjust and has already filed an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), seeking to overturn the verdict.
Saturday’s trophy parade, accompanied by music and celebrations from Senegalese fans in Paris, underscored the team’s refusal to accept CAF’s decision. The players also wore jerseys bearing two stars, symbolising what they regard as two AFCON triumphs.
The controversy stems from one of the most dramatic finals in recent AFCON history, where Senegal had originally secured victory on the pitch before the governing body’s post-match disciplinary intervention altered the outcome.
Observers say the dispute has deepened tensions within African football, raising questions about governance and the interpretation of competition rules. For Senegal, however, the message remains clear on the field and in the eyes of their supporters, they are still champions.
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