Stade de France hails Senegal as Africa Cup trophy presentation faces legal challenge | OneFootball

Senegal eased past Peru 2-0 at the Stade de France, yet the night belonged to a jubilant presentation of the Africa Cup of Nations trophy before a packed crowd. According to L'Équipe, the tour will head to Dakar next, with the official identity of the CAN 2026 winner to be known on Sunday after the CAF executive committee meets.

Three hours before kick-off, RER trains and the concourses were awash with Senegal shirts and flags as families captured the occasion. Some supporters said the controversy only strengthened their resolve to back the team, others had long planned to be together to mark the win. The attendance reached 68,000.

Youssou N’Dour led a rousing pre-match set with dancers, while the rapper Booba withdrew late, citing a physical problem. A legal bid to halt the ceremony emerged as Moroccan lawyer Maître Mourad Elajouti instructed a bailiff to record organisers, logos and the trophy’s display, arguing it would prove a deliberate intent to defy international sports bodies.

An hour before kick-off, captain Kalidou Koulibaly led team-mates as they carried the cup to a thunderous ovation. For around 15 minutes the trophy toured the stands to N’Dour’s soundtrack before being placed on the officials’ table.

Without Édouard Mendy, Koulibaly or Sadio Mané, the Lions then saw off Peru. Ibrahim Mbaye’s burst preceded Nicolas Jackson’s opener on 42 minutes, and Ismaïla Sarr added a close-range second on 55.

Goalkeeper Mory Diaw described the occasion as deeply moving, with family in tears in the stands. Krépin Diatta said the players were proud to represent Senegal, would wait for the TAS decision, and would still feel like African champions whatever follows.

Source: L'Équipe