Despite being stripped of their title, Senegal parade to lift the AFCON trophy at the Stade de France ahead of a friendly against Peru.
Published March 28, 2026
Senegal, who won the Africa Cup of Nations title in January in a controversial final against hosts Morocco and were stripped of victory a few weeks later, paraded the trophy at the Stade de France in Paris ahead of a friendly against Peru.
On Saturday, after a pre-match concert by Senegalese superstar Youssou N’Dour, Senegalese captain Kalidou Koulibaly and his teammates took to the pitch with the AFCON trophy and took a lap of honor.
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Koulibaly and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy took to the stadium’s presidential stand to hand over the trophy in front of Senegalese Football Federation president Abdoulaye Fall and others.
Just hours earlier, Morocco had declared an end to their trophy dispute after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) ruled that Senegal’s 1-0 victory in January’s final was overturned due to a mid-game walk-off by Morocco’s players.
The CAF appeals committee awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory, clinching the title.
Senegal and Morocco expected to remain embroiled in AFCON conflict
Senegal said it would appeal to CAF and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), but it could take a year for a decision to be made.
The Senegalese government has called for an independent international investigation into the CAF’s decision, insisting that corruption should also be investigated.
During the final, Senegal’s players left the field at regular time in protest of the penalty awarded to Morocco, but Senegal returned after a 14-minute delay but had the penalty missed.
The game was decided in extra time with a goal by Papu Gueye. Morocco immediately appealed the result, which was initially rejected by CAF.
Senegal turns Paris into AFCON trophy celebration
A crowd of 70,000 was expected for Saturday’s match at 16:00 GMT. By the time the players unveiled the trophy, thousands of Senegalese supporters had already gathered at the Stade de France, mixed in with Peruvian fans.
Earlier, around 200 Senegalese supporters gathered in front of the nearby Saint-Denis Cathedral before heading to the Stade de France to the sounds of traditional drums and percussion.
Barry Bagayoko, the newly elected mayor of Saint-Denis, also briefly joined the procession.
“Welcome to Saint-Denis,” said the mayor. “I would like to thank everyone who organized this wonderful initiative.
“You are the pride of our working-class neighborhoods. We have often been discriminated against and often looked down upon.
“At such a critical time, you are showing your ability to come together. Today, Africa is united. Everyone who supports Senegal.”
The friendly against Peru was scheduled to be the Lions of Teranga’s first match since the African Cup of Nations final.
They are preparing for the World Cup and will be in a group with France, Norway, Bolivia or Iraq.
Saturday’s team was almost identical to the one that played in the African Cup of Nations.
