Senegal Stars Fire Back at CAF's AFCON Title Strip with Social Media Jabs

Senegal’s national team players have hit back at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following the decision to declare Morocco the Africa Cup of Nations champions. The controversy stems from the January 18 final in Rabat, where Senegal walked off in protest over a disputed penalty, only to return and secure a 1-0 extra-time win via Pape Gueye’s goal. CAF’s Appeal Board later ruled it a 3-0 forfeit for Morocco on Tuesday.

Players flooded social media with biting responses. Midfielder Pathe Ciss shared a trophy celebration photo on X, quipping, “you can give the crybabies three more goals” alongside a laughing emoji. Mamadou Lamine Camara questioned, “Who will come and collect our medals?” while inquiring about Morocco’s parade plans.

Centre-back Moussa Niakhate insisted, “This is not AI, this is real,” referencing final moments. Defender El Hadji Malick Diouf declared, “This trophy is won on the pitch, not by email.” Forward Boulaye Dia stressed, “You don’t create emotions; you have to experience them.”

Idrissa Gueye offered a reflective take on Instagram: “Titles, trophies, medals – all of that is fleeting. What really matters is that every fan can go home to their families… We know what we lived that evening in Rabat. And no one can take that away from us.”

The Senegalese Football Federation slammed the ruling as “unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable,” with the government calling for an independent probe. Morocco’s federation welcomed the enforcement of rules, while CAF has not commented.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)