AFCON: Senegal players speak out

The Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) recent decision to declare Morocco the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) champions, despite Senegal’s victory in the final on the pitch, has sparked widespread anger in Senegal.

The decision, issued by CAF’s Appeals Committee, came after accepting the Moroccan Football Federation’s appeal and declaring Senegal the loser due to withdrawal, based on Article 84 of the tournament regulations. This has caused a major shock in both the sporting and public spheres within the country.

AFCON: Senegal reaction

The players expressed their categorical rejection of the decision, emphasizing that championships are decided on the field, not through administrative paperwork.

Pape Demba Diop, a Toulouse player, wrote on his Instagram story:

I think we’re living in a crazy world.

Defender Moussa Niakhaté reposted photos of the team receiving their medals, commenting:

Come and take them! They’re crazy! This isn’t artificial intelligence, it’s reality.

El Hadji Malick Diouf delivered a sharp message:

Prove yourselves, champions… This title is decided on the pitch, not by email.

Idrissa Gueye opted for a more measured approach, stating:

Titles and trophies are fleeting… The most important thing is that every fan returns home with their dignity intact. The Senegalese people have shown their worth, and no one can take away the pride we have experienced.

Anger spreads

Various media outlets quoted Claude Le Roy, the former Senegal coach, who described the decision as “absurd,” saying:

I had never imagined, even for a single second, that the Confederation of African Football could go this far into such ridiculous absurdity,” he said.

When we see how CAF is being run under Motsepe, who is considered a follower of Gianni Infantino, who from the beginning wanted to give this trophy to Morocco at any cost.

He added:

There are a lot of manipulations and suspicious deals within CAF. I believe this matter is not over yet, and that Senegal will eventually regain its rights, but it is unfortunate that CAF’s image has reached this level.

And:

This decision will make the whole world laugh at the African continent, which I love very much.

In the political arena, MP Guy Marius Sagna expressed his anger, saying:

Shame on the corrupt CAF. Thank you to the Lions of Senegal, you are the true champions.

Minister of Water and Sanitation Cheikh Tidiane Dièye wrote:

We have the cup, the honor, and the smile. Proud of the Lions of Teranga. You keep the court and the shame.

Press reacts

According to the Middle East News Agency, the newspaper “Le Dakar” described the decision as a “scandal in the final,” while “Le Soleil” headlined its front page “The Joke of the Century,” referring to the ridicule of the administrative decision that overturned the results of a match decided on the field.

Amid continued public and player anger, Senegal is preparing to file a formal appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), in what is expected to be one of the most controversial cases in the history of African football.

Featured image via the Canary