Senegal’s national team made a defiant statement on Saturday by parading the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy ahead of their friendly match against Peru in Paris, despite a recent ruling by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) that stripped them of the title they won on the pitch earlier this year.
The Teranga Lions entered the Stade de France with the trophy during pre-match build-up, where captain Kalidou Koulibaly and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy led a lap of honour in front of supporters who had gathered to cheer them on. The display drew loud cheers from fans and created one of the most talked-about moments of the international break.
Senegal originally beat Morocco 1-0 in extra time in the AFCON 2025 final in Rabat on January 18, but the match later became mired in controversy after the team briefly left the pitch following a disputed penalty decision. On March 17, CAF’s Appeal Board ruled that the walk-off constituted a forfeiture under the competition rules, officially awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory and declaring them champions. Senegal has since appealed that decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Despite the official change in the record books, Senegal’s pre-match display in Paris showed that the team and its supporters continue to view themselves as the true continental champions. The friendly against Peru also marked Senegal’s first match since the AFCON final controversy unfolded, and the team went on to secure a 2-0 victory.
The trophy presentation has sparked debate across African football, with Morocco reportedly considering legal action in response to the incident. Meanwhile, Senegal’s appeal process continues, leaving the broader dispute unresolved as the team prepares for future competitive fixtures.
