Senegal will “all the time really feel like African champions” regardless of the controversial choice to strip them of their title.
Earlier this month, Morocco had been retrospectively awarded the Africa Cup of Nations title.
January’s ultimate was marred in controversy, with Senegal’s gamers leaving the sphere late on in regular time after hosts Morocco had been awarded a contentious penalty.
Senegal ultimately returned to the pitch, with Brahim Diaz lacking the spot-kick and Pape Gueye scoring a shocking winner in additional time.
But two months later, a CAF appeals board elected to award Morocco a 3-0 victory, stating that Senegal had forfeited the match.
Senegal have taken an attraction to the Courtroom of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), however on Saturday they however confirmed their defiance by parading the trophy on the Stade de France, the place they beat Peru 2-0 in a pleasant.
“Presenting the trophy was a supply of satisfaction for us,” mentioned Senegal winger Krepin Diatta, as quoted by BFM RMC Sport.
“[The fans] got here to have a good time with us, they got here to assist their group. They got here and confirmed us as soon as once more the satisfaction of being Senegalese. For us, it was additionally a pleasure. It galvanised us to see this match by means of to the tip and win it.
“As you’ve seen, the group is doing very, very effectively, regardless of the choice that was made.
Again in motion right now!
Idrissa Gana Gueye captained Senegal to a 2-0 win over Peru in Paris. pic.twitter.com/dRVkeYIokh
— Everton (@Everton) March 28, 2026
“However we’ll all the time really feel like African champions; nobody can take that away from us. The entire world noticed that Senegal had a really, excellent match; our goal was to win this continental trophy. Now, right now, we’re proud to see our followers right here celebrating with us, particularly after this victory.”
Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy added: “I don’t see why it needs to be as much as Senegal to take a step to repair something. We went to Morocco and gained that trophy one January night.
“Then, one other battle was fought on a special subject, one which wasn’t ours. So, I don’t see why Senegal, when it’s solely targeted on Senegal, ought to take a step to make things better.”
Nicolas Jackson and Ismaila Sarr scored Senegal’s objectives in a dominant show in opposition to Peru.
Senegal completed with possibilities price 1.98 anticipated objectives to Peru’s 0.43, with Jackson registering a powerful 4 photographs, hitting the goal thrice.
They face Gambia on Tuesday.
