Senegal hide trophy at military base as stand-off with CAF escalates | OneFootball

Senegal have placed the Africa Cup of Nations 2026 trophy in a military base. They are refusing to return it or the medals after CAF stripped their 2025 title. According to Superdeporte, head coach Pape Thiaw moved the silverware following a recall demand from the confederation.

Senegal had won the 2025 final 1-0 in extra time and celebrated on the pitch. Weeks later CAF awarded a 3-0 victory to Morocco, ruling that Senegal left the field for several minutes without the referee’s permission in protest, a serious breach of the laws.

The Senegalese government has elevated the dispute to a matter of state, alleging irregularities and calling for an independent international investigation. The federation and government question the process and argue the match resumed normally, so the on-field result should stand.

CAF president Patrice Motsepe has rejected any notion of preferential treatment and emphasised the independence of its disciplinary bodies. He has also acknowledged that African football has long faced credibility issues.

Senegal will take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in a bid to reclaim what it regards as a legitimately won title. The outcome now lies with international sporting justice, with the fallout already overshadowing events on the pitch.

Source: Superdeporte