SENEGAL DEFY CAF, PARADE AFCON TROPHY DESPITE AWARDING MOROCCO VICTORY

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Senegal’s national team made a bold statement on Saturday by parading the Africa Cup of Nations trophy before their friendly against Peru at the Stade de France in Paris, insisting they remain the rightful champions despite CAF’s recent decision to strip them of the title.

Captain Kalidou Coulibaly led the players on a lap of honour with the trophy after a pre-match performance by Senegalese music icon Youssou N’Dour, drawing cheers from fans and reinforcing the team’s stance.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) had earlier awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory in the January final, overturning Senegal’s 1-0 win in Rabat. The decision followed a 14-minute walk-off by Senegal players, who protested a controversial penalty awarded during the match.

Senegal have appealed the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland, although Morocco maintain that the matter has already been settled.

Head coach Pape Thiaw, speaking publicly for the first time since the verdict, insisted his team still considers itself African champions.

“We know we’re African champions. We’ll keep working to win more trophies. Competitions are won on the pitch — and we did that,” Thiaw said.

Thiaw, who was central to the walk-off incident and faced sanctions, added that his priority is keeping the squad focused despite the controversy. He is set to lead Senegal at the 2026 World Cup in June, with another friendly against Gambia scheduled in Dakar.

“The most important thing is not to get distracted,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, Morocco played out a 1-1 draw with Ecuador in Madrid in their first match since the ruling. The game also marked new coach Mohamed Ouahbi’s debut ahead of the World Cup.

Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou downplayed the dispute, saying the team is concentrating on future competitions.

Morocco, who have only won the AFCON once — in 1976 — are now turning their attention to the upcoming World Cup, which they will co-host, as Ouahbi begins shaping his tactical plans.