Senegal Stands Firm: 'We Are AFCON Champions'

Thiaw's Senegal vows to prove they're Africa's best

Senegal coach Pape Bouna Thiaw insists “We know we're African champions” amid AFCON title controversy with Morocco.

Senegal confident in appeal as they prep for World Cup with Thiaw leading the charge...

Senegal's coach, Pape Bouna Thiaw, is adamant that his team are the true African champions, despite being stripped of the title by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Thiaw stated, “We know we're African champions,” emphasizing that tournaments should be won on the pitch.

The controversy surrounds Senegal's 1-0 win over Morocco in the AFCON final, which was marred by a 14-minute walk-off by the Senegalese team in protest of a late penalty awarded to Morocco. CAF's Appeal Board later ruled that Senegal had forfeited the match, awarding the title to Morocco instead.

Senegal has lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), challenging CAF's decision. Thiaw and Senegal's captain, Idrissa Gueye, have expressed their frustration and disappointment, stressing that their team's success was earned on the field.

Senegal is in Paris to face Peru in a World Cup warm-up friendly at the Stade de France. In Friday's pre-match press conference, coach Pape Thiaw emphasized the need for his team to stay focused on football and avoid getting caught up in the controversy surrounding the decision by African football's governing body.

Thiaw, who was heavily punished for his role in the walk-off during the Africa Cup of Nations final, stressed that "the most important thing is not to get distracted". This comes after Senegal lodged an appeal with the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) earlier this week, challenging the decision to strip them of their AFCON title.

“We know we're African champions. We're going to keep working to win more ‌trophies. It's clear in our minds that competitions and trophies are won on the pitch. We've done that; we're African champions,” Thiaw told reporters.

Thiaw will be allowed to lead Senegal at the World Cup in June. Saturday's warm-up game is followed by another friendly against neighbours Gambia in Dakar on Tuesday.

🚨 OFFICIAL: CAS confirms Senegalese Football Federation has appealed the decision to call Morocco as winners of the AFCON 2025, asking to restore Senegal as the original winners.

Appeal registered by CAS on 25 March 2026 “to set aside the CAF decision and declares the FSF… pic.twitter.com/iQqLBqVdFE

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 25, 2026

“As players, nothing can replace the intense emotions we experienced,” he said. “In the last four Cup of Nations tournaments, Senegal has reached three finals and won two African championship titles. We didn't steal this result. It's the ‌work of an entire country that gives its all. We deserve to be African champions on the field.”

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Senegal's coach Pape Thiaw and captain Idrissa Gueye sat in front of a “Champions of Africa” backdrop, signaling their confidence in their team's claim to the title. There's speculation that Senegal might display the Africa Cup of Nations trophy to their fans at the Stade de France, potentially escalating tensions with Morocco over the controversy surrounding the Appeal Board's decision.

Senegal faces Peru in World Cup warm-up as AFCON dispute with Morocco escalates, trophy display planned?