African Champions: Senegal Reaffirms AFCON 2025 Victory Amid Legal Battle with CAF
Senegal used their friendly against Peru at the Stade de France on Saturday to reaffirm their claim as rightful winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, parading the trophy in front of thousands of fans despite CAF’s ruling to strip them of the title.
According to Afrik-Foot, the phrase ‘African champions’ was impossible to miss throughout the evening, emblazoned on jerseys, banners, advertising boards, and even the giant screens inside the stadium.
Captain Kalidou Koulibaly and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy led the symbolic presentation, joined by teammates in a moment of unity with the Senegalese diaspora in Paris.
Following the 2-0 victory, with goals from Nicolas Jackson and Ismaïla Sarr, the players made two laps of honor with the trophy, underscoring their refusal to accept CAF’s decision.
‘We know how we won this AFCON, we know what happened one evening in February in Morocco,’ Mendy said, criticizing CAF as ‘a shaky body’ that undermines African football.
Krépin Diatta struck a calmer tone but echoed the same conviction.
‘We didn’t steal it. No matter what happens, we feel like African champions. If people appreciate football in the true sense, they will make the right decisions,’ the AS Monaco midfielder said.
Senegal’s appeal against CAF’s ruling is now before the Court of Arbitration for Sport, with the team and federation united in their determination to defend their honor and title.
