Senegal Roars: Contested Africa Cup Glory Sparks a Paris Celebration
22 March 2026
Despite CAF’s decision to award Morocco the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title, Senegal maintains its claim to the trophy on the pitch after a final that featured a lengthy stoppage.
Senegal defeated Morocco 1-0 in the final held in Rabat, two months prior, but the temporary withdrawal of the Lions of Teranga in protest of a late spot-kick opened the door for Morocco to be crowned on paper.
Before CAF’s appeal by the Moroccan federation, the Atlas Lions were announced as champions by an administrative 3-0 decision, while Senegal did not surrender, announcing a protest to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Ahead of their friendly with Peru at the Stade de France on Saturday, the “Lions of Teranga” invited fans to come celebrate the title in France.
Continental Celebration Planned
The Senegal team intends to celebrate the title properly, staging an event at the Stade de France on the sidelines of the friendly against Peru, reaffirming their claim to the crown they see as rightfully theirs.
In a video posted by the team’s official account on X, several players urged Senegalese fans in France to attend the match.
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Kalidou Koulibaly invited everyone to March 28 at the Stade de France for the celebration against Peru, promising big surprises. Others echoed the message: “March 28 isn’t just a game; it’s a continent-wide celebration. See you there.”
Since the administrative loss announcement, Senegalese players have stressed they won the final on the pitch, not by correspondence, as one commentator noted. Idrissa Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye echoed the stance after Everton’s win over Chelsea, and Gueye later tempered the mood with a pledge to bring the medals home if it helps ease tensions.
Despite the ongoing dispute, the players maintained pride in their performance, while public figures urged calm and unity as the continent watches how this chapter concludes.
Punchline 1: If drama paid tickets, this final would be sold out for a year in Paris.
Punchline 2: In football, the trophy is heavy, the debate heavier, and the internet plans a sequel anyway.
