Senegal won the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in January 2026 but was stripped of the victory weeks later due to a ruling by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The decision came after Senegal’s players left the field in protest during the final against Morocco, following a controversial penalty awarded to their opponents.
On March 28, 2026, Senegal paraded the AFCON trophy at Stade de France in Paris ahead of a friendly match against Peru. This event drew an expected crowd of 70,000, showcasing the team’s resilience and the support of their fans despite the ongoing controversy surrounding the legitimacy of the trophy.
Kalidou Koulibaly led the squad in a lap of honour with the trophy, which was presented to supporters amidst the backdrop of Senegal’s appeal against the CAF ruling, currently pending with the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The friendly against Peru marked Senegal’s first match since the AFCON final.
During the AFCON final, Senegal’s players protested a penalty awarded to Morocco, which was missed after a 14-minute delay when the team returned to the field. Initially, Senegal had scored one goal in the match, but following the CAF ruling, Morocco was awarded a 3-0 victory and the title.
Bally Bagayoko, the mayor of Saint-Denis, expressed gratitude to those who organized the parade, emphasizing the unity and pride of the Senegalese community. “Today, Africa is united. Everyone behind Senegal,” he stated, highlighting the significance of the event for the residents.
The public celebration comes just 10 days after CAF’s decision to revise the tournament history, which has left many in the football community in disbelief. Senegal has indicated they will take their appeal back to CAF and the Court of Arbitration for Sport, a process that could take up to a year to resolve.
As the situation unfolds, observers are keenly watching how the appeal process will progress and what implications it may have for Senegal’s footballing future. The Senegalese government has also called for an independent inquiry into CAF’s decision, reflecting the broader concerns regarding governance in African football.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the timeline for the appeal’s resolution, but the sentiment among Senegalese supporters remains strong as they rally behind their team during this tumultuous period.
