Senegal 'presented' the Africa Cup of Nations trophy in front of supporters as they continue to lay claim to a title they have officially been stripped of
Senegal make an "official presentation" of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy despite having been stripped of their crown ahead of their friendly match with Peru. Photo by Dave Winter/Icon Sport via Getty Images
Senegal make an "official presentation" of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy despite having been stripped of their crown ahead of their friendly match with Peru. Photo by Dave Winter/Icon Sport via Getty Images
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Everton stars Idrissa Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye took part in a celebration of Senegal’s disputed Africa Cup of Nations success before their national side’s friendly with Peru.
The trophy, secured with a win over Morocco that has since been overturned, was paraded in front of supporters ahead of their game at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday.
It made for bizarre but politically charged scenes before the match as Senegal continues to dispute the decision of the Confederation of African Football (Caf) to strip it of the title clinched through a controversial extra-time win against the tournament hosts in January.
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The squad did a lap of honour with the trophy after a pre-match performance by the legendary Senegalese musician Youssou N'Dour. It was a high-profile act of defiance in the face of the Caf ruling from earlier this month and in line with the views of [Idrissa] Gueye, who after Everton’s win over Chelsea had his say on the situation, stating: “I think this decision is just ridiculous. We win the game on the pitch, not in offices and as a Senegalese player I’m just proud of what we did in the African Cup of Nations.”
Pape Gueye’s extra time strike had decided the final on the pitch in Rabat but only after the dramatic events in stoppage time that were at the centre of the Caf ruling. Senegal’s players left the pitch in protest when Morocco were awarded a penalty moments after the Lions of Teranga had a goal ruled out. The game was paused for around 14 minutes before the players returned and Brahim Diaz then missed the penalty, taking the match into extra-time.
The Caf essentially ruled that Senegal forfeited the match by walking off the pitch and stripped them of their title, handing Morocco the trophy and a 3-0 win. Senegal have launched a legal battle against that ruling, taking it to the court of arbitration for sport in Switzerland.
In the meantime, they maintain their claim to the title of champions of Africa - as shown by Saturday’s display. In the match that followed, [Idrissa] Gueye played the full 90 minutes as he captained Senegal to a 2-0 win courtesy of goals from Nicolas Jackson and Ismaila Sarr. Ndiaye, who was part of the initial celebrations, was not involved in the match and is not expected to be part of the squad to face Gambia on Tuesday due to a foot injury Senegal said he arrived at the camp with.