Senegal displayed its stripped AFCON trophy in a defiant Paris parade before a friendly win, as its football federation appeals the title reversal.
SENEGAL staged a defiant display of its disputed Africa Cup of Nations title on Saturday, parading the trophy at the Stade de France before a 2-0 friendly victory over Peru.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) had ordered the trophy’s return on March 17, reversing Senegal’s 1-0 final win over Morocco in January and awarding the hosts a 3-0 victory instead.
Captain Kalidou Koulibaly led his teammates onto the pitch for a lap of honour with the trophy following a pre-match concert by Senegalese superstar Youssou N’Dour.
Koulibaly and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy then placed the cup in the stadium’s presidential box in front of Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) president Abdoulaye Fall.
Senegal played in shirts featuring two stars, one for their 2021 triumph and a second for the now-disputed January victory.
A much-changed side still comfortably outplayed Peru, with Nicolas Jackson and Ismaila Sarr scoring in each half.
The AFCON final in Rabat had descended into chaos when Senegal’s players walked off in protest after Morocco was awarded a late penalty in stoppage time.
They were coaxed back by captain Sadio Mane, and after Brahim Diaz missed the spot-kick, Pape Gueye scored in extra time to secure what appeared to be the winning goal.
CAF later ruled that Senegal’s players broke rules by leaving the field without the referee’s permission.
The FSF lodged an appeal against that decision with the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Wednesday and has not relinquished hope of keeping the title.
Before the match, nearly 200 Senegal supporters gathered at the nearby Basilica of Saint-Denis.
They marched to the stadium to the sound of traditional drums, joined briefly by the newly-elected mayor of Saint-Denis, Bally Bagayoko.
The friendly was Senegal’s first match since the controversial final as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup.
They have been drawn in a strong group with France, Norway, and either Iraq or Bolivia.
Peru, which finished ninth in South American qualifying, did not qualify for the summer’s finals in North America.
