Senegal Flaunts AFCON Trophy In Paris Despite Morocco Legal Clash

Senegal’s national football team made a striking statement on Saturday in Paris by parading the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy ahead of their friendly match against Peru, despite having the title recently awarded to Morocco.

According to Ireporter Online, Kalidou Coulibaly led the squad on a lap of honour at the Stade de France, which followed a pre-match performance by music legend Youssou N’Dour.

The display comes days after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) overturned Senegal’s 1-0 win in the January final in Rabat, awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory. CAF cited Senegal’s 14-minute walk-off in protest over a penalty decision during the final as the reason for the ruling. Senegal has since appealed the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland, while Morocco maintains that the matter is closed.

Head coach Pape Thiaw emphasized that his team still considers itself African champions. “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. He added that the squad must remain focused on upcoming challenges, particularly the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Senegal’s friendly against Peru will be followed by a match against Gambia in Dakar on Tuesday.

Morocco, meanwhile, played a 1-1 draw with Ecuador in Madrid in their first outing since the CAF ruling. The match marked the debut of new coach Mohamed Ouahbi. Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou emphasized that the team remains focused on future fixtures, saying, “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.”

Morocco has won the continental title only once, in 1976. With preparations underway to co-host the 2026 World Cup, attention has shifted to the summer tournament and Ouahbi’s plans for the national squad.