Senegal still dey parade AFCON trophy for Paris despite CAF don strip dem of title

Senegal national football team, wey dem dey call Lions of Teranga, don cause plenty talk after dem parade di Africa Cup of Nations trophy for Stade de France for Paris on Saturday. Dis one happen just ten days after Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeal Board don strip dem of di 2025 AFCON title wey dem win for January.

Di parade happen before international friendly match against Peru, wey sell out completely. Di Senegalese players waka around di stadium with di trophy, and fans dey shout as captain Kalidou Koulibaly bring am out. Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy even hold di trophy up for air for all to see.

CAF Appeal Board don rule say Senegal forfeit di final match against Morocco 3-0 because dem walk off di pitch late for di game. Di controversial final for January see Senegal manager Pape Thiaw take him players comot after referee give last-minute penalty to Morocco. Players return after 17 minutes, and Brahim Diaz miss di penalty before Pape Gueye score winning goal for extra-time.

But Senegal Football Federation president Abdoulaye Fall call di CAF decision “di most grossly unfair administrative robbery” for football history. Fall talk say “Senegal no go bend knee and no go compromise our values. Our fight don pass football pitch now.”

Senegal FA don already appeal to Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), wey confirm say dem receive di appeal on Tuesday. CAS decision fit take months before e come out, but Senegal dey show say dem still consider themselves African champions. Dem even add second star for their kits to mark AFCON wins for 2021 and 2025/26.

Before di trophy parade, Senegalese music superstar Youssou Ndour perform concert for di stadium. Di event gather plenty Senegalese fans for Paris wey come support their team despite di controversy. Di friendly match against Peru na part of World Cup 2026 warm-up preparations.

Moroccan lawyers don send threats about di trophy parade, but Senegal players no show any sign of worry. Di team official lineup against Peru include regular players wey dey maintain say dem no accept CAF decision as final.

International football community dey watch di situation closely as e set precedent for how football authorities handle team protests during matches. Di case go likely affect future AFCON tournaments and how CAF enforce competition rules.

For now, Senegal continue to hold di physical AFCON trophy even though CAF don declare Morocco as official champions. Di trophy parade for Paris show strong unity between di team and their fans, with many supporters wearing jerseys with two stars despite di official ruling.