Senegal have taken a bold stance in their ongoing dispute with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), officially adding a second star to their national team jersey despite the governing body’s decision to strip them of the 2025 AFCON title.
In a further show of defiance, Senegal presented the AFCON trophy before a friendly match against Peru.
The addition of a second star symbolizes Senegal’s refusal to accept CAF’s ruling, with the country already filing an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to challenge the decision.
Head coach Pape Thiaw reaffirmed the team’s stance, insisting that their achievement cannot be erased.
“We are champions, we know we are African champions. We want to go after other trophies in the future. But we are clear: it is won on the green rectangle and we did it,” he said.
Veteran midfielder Gana Gueye echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the emotional significance of the triumph.
“The intense emotions we’ve experienced, nothing can replace that. We didn’t steal this result; we’ve been champions twice in recent years. We earned it on the field, and we’ll try to fight off the field as well,” he said.
Senegal’s legal representative, Maître Seydou Diagne, confirmed that the country has followed due process in its appeal.
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“We have worked calmly, we have completed our procedures within the deadlines, we have assembled our international team calmly,” he told journalists.
He also questioned the legitimacy of Morocco’s claim to the title, stating:
“It’s Morocco that proclaims itself champion. CAF hasn’t done so yet. There is no provision in the framework that proclaims it.”
Diagne further warned of the broader implications of the case:
“If the CAS lets Morocco do what it’s doing, imagine what will happen at the World Cup. We won’t need to set up football academies anymore; train good lawyers and we’ll sort it out.”
Senegal Football Federation President, Abdoulaye Fall described the situation as unprecedented and deeply concerning.
“The hour is grave. We are witnessing an administrative hold up, the most brazen in the history of our sport. This is a battle that goes beyond the green rectangle. It is about preserving the honor of our players, of African football, and of our supporters, victims of an unjustified diplomatic blackmail,” he said.
The case is now in the hands of the Court of Arbitration for Sport, with proceedings expected to take between nine and twelve months under normal circumstances.
However, an expedited process requiring the agreement of all parties involved, including CAF and the Moroccan Football Federation could see a verdict delivered within two months if approved.
As the legal battle unfolds, Senegal remain firm in their position, both symbolically and publicly, that they are the rightful African champions.
