**Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gueye have reacted to Senegal being stripped of the Africa Cup of Nations.**
The Everton pair enjoyed international success with their homeland during January’s final against Morocco which had ended in controversial fashion.
Pape Thiaw led his players off the pitch during stoppage time after a penalty was awarded to the host nation, leading to a 15-minute delay in proceedings.
Brahim Diaz missed the eventually taken spot kick as the Lions of Teranga went on to win 1-0 and claim their second continental title with Gueye and Ndiaye involved.
But a ruling by the Confederation of African Football on Tuesday decreed that they had forefeited the game and therefore lost the final by a default 3-0 score line.
Ndiaye made his feelings known by sharing a picture on Instagram of Senegal lifting the trophy with the caption ‘Earned not given!’
Blues teammate Gueye, who was part of their 2021 triumph, added: “Titles, trophies, medals… all of this is fleeting.
“What really matters is that every supporter can go home and meet his family.
“The Senegalese people have shown what they are: worthy in victory; worthy in ordeal. This is the Teranga.
“We know what we experienced that night in Rabat. And no one will be able to take that away from us, inch’Allah (God willing).”