Senegal captain reacts to AFCON turnover
Idrissa Gueye (L) and Sadio Mane of Senegal celebrate holding the trophy after winning the CAF Africa Cup of Nations after the final match between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, 18 January 2026. EPA/JALAL MORCHIDI
by Staff Reporter
Thursday Mar 19, 2026. 11:00
Senegal captain Idrissa Gana has given his thoughts on Morocco controversially being crowned as the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after the Lions of Teranga was stripped of their title.
In what was news that made headlines globally, Senegal were demoted as their tag as AFCON winners despite claiming a 1-0 win over Morocco in the final following an official statement from CAF earlier this week.
During the latter stages of the game, Senegal had a goal controversially disallowed, which was met with anger from players and coaches on the pitch. Moments later, Morocco were awarded a penalty during the final moments of regulation time, which prompted the Senegal players to walk off the pitch as per instructions from the coaching staff.
Following a lengthy delay, players returned to the pitch before Brahim Díaz missed the penalty while Pape Gueye scored in dramatic fashion to give Senegal the win at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
However, CAF recently announced that the result had been overturned, saying that Senegal forfeited the encounter by walking off the pitch. In response to the news, Gana believes that Senegal will be ‘dignified in adversity’ in the end.
“Titles, trophies, medals… all of that is only temporary,” Gueye wrote on IG Stories, as per Sport Bible.
“What really matters is that every supporter can go home and be reunited with their family.
“The Senegalese people have shown who they are: dignified in victory, dignified in adversity.
“That is Teranga (Senegalese hospitality and spirit).”