Sports 29 March 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Senegal flaunts Afcon trophy before 2-0 friendly win over Peru
Senegal boldly paraded the Africa Cup of Nations trophy at the Stade de France before securing a 2-0 victory against Peru in a World Cup warm-up, defying CAF's decision to award the title to Morocco. Ivory Coast also impressed with a 4-0 thrashing of South Korea. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/sports/soccer/defiant-senegal-display-afcon-trophy-before-beating-peru-in-friendly-5407116
Senegal’s players and coach Pape Bouna Thiaw circled the pitch with the Afcon trophy an hour before kickoff in Paris, drawing wild cheers from a packed crowd. This bold move came as they reject the Confederation of African Football’s ruling stripping them of the title after a walk-off protest in the January final against Morocco.
Nicolas Jackson netted the opener four minutes shy of halftime, capitalizing on a dynamic run by teenage talent Ibrahima Mbaye. Ismaila Sarr sealed the 2-0 win in the 54th minute, powering through defenders after a deflection.
It marked Senegal’s first victory since that controversial final. The team sported a new kit with two stars, symbolizing their 2021 and recent triumphs, as Thiaw affirmed, “we know we’re African champions.”
Meanwhile, Ivory Coast dominated South Korea 4-0 at Stadium MK near London. Evann Guessand scored first in the 35th minute off a debut assist from Martial Godo, who later grabbed the third from a corner rebound. Simon Adingra fired in the second just before halftime, and Wilfried Singo tapped home the fourth at the death.
Both nations gear up for the World Cup in June across Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. Senegal faces Gambia next in Dakar, likely parading the trophy again, while Ivory Coast meets Scotland in Liverpool.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)