Senegal forward Iliman Ndiaye has declared the Teranga Lions the “true champions” of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) despite being stripped of the trophy by CAF.
The Everton star used the momentum of a clinical goal against Chelsea on Saturday, 21 March, to issue a defiant response to the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) recent ruling.
“We are champions of Africa,” Ndiaye told reporters following the match, reaffirming his team’s claim to the title they secured on the pitch in Rabat earlier this year.
The dispute stems from the dramatic January 18 final between Senegal and Morocco. While Senegal won the match after extra time, the result was sensationally overturned by the CAF Appeal Board last week.
The board ruled that Senegal had forfeited the match following a 17-minute walk-off. This protest was sparked by a controversial late penalty decision in favour of the hosts, Morocco.
Under CAF regulations, the walk-off resulted in an automatic 3-0 victory for Morocco, who were subsequently crowned champions.
The ruling has created an unprecedented diplomatic and sporting rift in African football. Surprisingly, even the beneficiaries of the decision have voiced their discomfort.
Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi has publicly rejected the title, stating that his side did not earn the trophy through play.
Despite this, the official record currently stands in Morocco’s favour—a fact Ndiaye and his teammates refuse to accept.
The timeline of the dispute began on January 18 when Senegal defeated Morocco in Rabat, despite the walk-off during the match.
Following the recent March ruling by the CAF Appeal Board to award Morocco a 3-0 win, the Senegal Football Federation confirmed it is taking the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
For Ndiaye and the rest of the Teranga Lions, the goal against Chelsea was more than just a Premier League statistic; it was a platform to remind the world that, in their eyes, the gold medals belong in Dakar.
