Senegal make plans for AFCON trophy parade despite being controversially stripped of title

Senegal will reportedly parade the Africa Cup of Nations trophy… even though Morocco have been declared winners.

In a dramatic turn of events, Morocco were last week announced as champions of the recent tournament despite losing the final 1-0 in January.

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The Confederation of African Football Appeal Board overturned the result as the match was deemed to have been forfeited by Senegal.

After hosts Morocco were awarded a late penalty, they walked off the pitch in protest as per instructions from manager Pape Thiaw.

Senegal eventually returned and saw Brahim Diaz have his spot-kick saved by ex-Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

Pape Gueye then scored a stunning extra-time winner with Senegal holding on for the victory.

But as per the recent ruling, Morocco have been awarded a 3-0 win and are the AFCON holders.

Senegal have appealed the decision, and the Court of Arbitration (CAS) for Sport will conduct arbitration proceedings ‘as swiftly as possible’.

Defiant response

And despite losing their title, they will demonstrate their belief that they deserve to regain it by showing off the trophy.

The BBC report that Senegal have plans to parade the cup ahead of their friendly against Peru in Paris this Saturday.

“Faced with what amounts to the most blatant and unprecedented administrative robbery in the history of our sport, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) refuses to accept this as inevitable,” their president Abdoulaye Fall said in a press conference.

Fall added: “Senegal will not bend the knee and will not compromise its values.

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“Our fight now transcends the football pitch.”

What next for Senegal?

Whilst they wait for the outcome of their appeal to CAS, Senegal will continue their preparations for this summer’s World Cup.

Friendlies against Peru and Gambia make up their schedule for the March international break.

Senegal will then play World Cup co-hosts United States in May.

They face France and Norway in Group I, as well as the winner of the inter-confederation play-off between Bolivia, Suriname and Iraq.

The next Africa Cup of Nations tournament follows a year later, with Senegal hoping to arrive as defending champions.