Senegal Players Send Bold Message to CAF After AFCON Verdict: ‘Champions of Africa’
- Players of Senegal have sent a defiant message to the Confederation of African Football after the controversial AFCON ruling that stripped them of the title
- In a viral video, the squad was seen boldly displaying portraits in a gesture widely interpreted as a show of resistance against the governing body’s decision
- Meanwhile, Senegal are set to return to action for the first time since their now-contentious win over Morocco after appealing CAF's decision at the CAS
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Senegalese players have sent a clear message to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), publicly rejecting the decision that stripped them of the 2025 AFCON title.
The ‘positive’ defiance underlines their firm stance on the controversial CAF verdict, which continues to divide opinion among fans, pundits, and key stakeholders in the game.
Source: Getty Images
Senegal players respond to CAF's AFCON ruling
In the video circulating on social media, members of the Senegal national team were seen holding up portraits boldly labelled 'Champions of Africa' with images of players holding the AFCON trophy.
The clip, widely shared online, features key figures such as Kalidou Koulibaly, Nicolas Jackson and Edouard Mendy, all reinforcing the belief that their triumph on the pitch still stands.
Watch the video on X:
Their reaction comes in the wake of CAF’s Appeal Board ruling on March 17, 2026, which overturned Senegal’s 1-0 victory over Morocco in the final.
The continental football governing body cited Articles 82 and 84, ruling that Senegal had forfeited the match after a 17-minute walk-off in protest of a late penalty decision.
In its official statement, CAF said the Teranga Lions had been declared to have forfeited the final match, with the result recorded as 3-0 in favour of Morocco.
The ruling strips Senegal of what would have been its second AFCON title, handing the crown to the North African hosts retrospectively.
Despite the widespread debate the decision has sparked, the mood within the Senegal camp remains firm, with players and officials standing united in their position.
Source: Getty Images
CAS appeal underway as players stay focused
Behind the scenes, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has already taken the matter further, filing an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in a bid to overturn CAF’s ruling.
The federation is seeking to have the decision annulled and Senegal reinstated as champions.
According to BBC Sport, the FSF has requested more time to submit a detailed legal brief once CAF provides the full reasoning behind its verdict.
As the legal battle begins to take shape in Lausanne, the players are shifting focus back to football.
Senegal are preparing for upcoming friendlies against Peru and Gambia on March 28 and March 31, respectively, even as the fight for recognition continues off the pitch.
Morocco receives huge boost from FIFA
YEN.com.gh also reported that FIFA had adjusted its rankings after CAF's AFCON ruling, handing Morocco a major boost.
The Atlas Lions gained 18.02 points to rise to eighth overall with 1,754.59 points, making them Africa’s highest-ranked team.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
