SENEGAL PARADE AFCON TROPHY AHEAD OF PERU FRIENDLY DESPITE BEING STRIPPED OF TITLE
In an unexpected twist, the Senegalese national football team showcased their joy on Saturday by parading the Africa Cup of Nations trophy in front of a cheering crowd before their friendly match against Peru at the Stade de France in Paris. This moment of celebration came despite the Confederation of African Football (CAF) recently stripping them of this prestigious title.
The CAF’s decision, made on March 17th, overturned Senegal’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over Morocco during the final held in Rabat on January 18th. Instead, the victory was changed to a 3-0 win for Morocco, citing rule violations on Senegal’s part as the reason for nullifying their triumph.
During the pre-match festivities, Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly, alongside his teammates, made a grand entrance onto the pitch, proudly holding the AFCON trophy. The atmosphere was electric as Senegalese music legend Youssou Ndour entertained the crowd with a concert before the players took part in their celebratory lap around the pitch.
In a symbolic gesture, Koulibaly and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy ascended to the presidential box, where they presented the trophy to Abdoulaye Fall, the president of the Senegalese Football Federation, and other dignitaries, further cementing the importance of the moment despite the official stand on their title.
The final match’s conclusion had not been without controversy. The game erupted into chaos when Senegal’s players protested a late penalty awarded to Morocco during the second half. Although captain Sadio Mane successfully urged the team to return to the pitch after initially walking off in protest, Senegal managed to secure a late victory when Pape Gueye netted the decisive goal after Morocco’s Brahim Diaz missed the penalty opportunity.
Citing that Senegal had violated regulations by exiting the pitch without the referee’s consent, the CAF’s ruling sparked outrage and led the Senegalese Football Federation to lodge an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), intent on reclaiming their title.
The match against Peru marked the first for Senegal following their controversial AFCON final. As they prepared to face the South American side, an impressive turnout of approximately 70,000 fans filled the Stade de France, with Senegalese supporters, along with their Peruvian counterparts, creating a vibrant atmosphere. Notably, nearly 200 Senegalese supporters gathered at the Basilica of Saint-Denis prior to the match, marching to the stadium amid traditional rhythmic drumbeats.
Bally Bagayoko, the recently elected mayor of Saint-Denis, joined in the festivities, expressing admiration for the collective spirit displayed by the Senegalese community. “Welcome to Saint-Denis,” he remarked. “You are the pride of the residents of working-class neighbourhoods who have faced discrimination. Today, Africa stands as one, and we all rally behind Senegal.”
As they gear up for the forthcoming World Cup, Senegal’s squad remains nearly identical to the one that battled for the Africa Cup of Nations, setting their sights on doing well in a challenging group alongside France, Norway, and either Bolivia or Iraq.
Fans are encouraged to follow their friendly match against Peru, as the Lions of Teranga strive to build momentum ahead of international competitions and reclaim their status on the global stage.
