Senegal CAN 2025: Appeal Planned Despite Morocco’s Victory & New Squad Announced

Rabat, Morocco – Despite the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) decision to award the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title to Morocco, Senegal is maintaining its position as the legitimate champion. In a powerful display of defiance, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) unveiled its squad list on Thursday for upcoming friendly matches, accompanied by a striking image of national team coach Pape Thiaw proudly holding the coveted CAN trophy.

The move comes two days after the CAF appeals board overturned Senegal’s 1-0 extra-time victory over Morocco in January’s controversial final, declaring a 3-0 default win for the host nation. The CAF ruling stemmed from a protest lodged by Morocco regarding a penalty awarded to them in stoppage time, which led to Senegalese players briefly leaving the pitch. While the match resumed and Senegal ultimately prevailed, the CAF board determined Senegal had “forfeited the final” by initially walking off the field.

The decision has sparked outrage in Senegal, with FSF Secretary General Abdoulaye Sow calling the CAF “rotten” and expressing confidence that the nation’s victory would be upheld. “The CAF is rotten, the reactions around the world after this decision confirm a total indignation,” Sow stated to the Senegalese media outlet Le Soleil. “The president of the FSF is discussing with all concerned parties. The fight is far from over. I aim for to reassure all Senegalese. Senegal has the right and the victory with it. The cup will not leave the country.”

Squad Announced for March Friendlies

Senegal’s unwavering stance is underscored by the team’s preparation for upcoming international fixtures. Coach Thiaw has named a 28-man squad to face Peru in Paris on March 28th and Gambia in Diamniadio, Senegal, on March 31st. The roster selection, and the accompanying image of Thiaw with the trophy, serve as a clear message of continued belief in their championship claim.

The CAF’s decision, based on articles 82 and 84 of the CAN regulations, stipulates that a team refusing to play or leaving the pitch before the end of a match is considered to have forfeited the game. However, Senegal is preparing to appeal the ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland, seeking to overturn the CAF’s decision and reaffirm their status as champions. CAF President Patrice Motsepe has acknowledged Senegal’s right to appeal, stating, “Each of the 54 African nations has the right to appeal and defend its interests.”

The situation remains fluid, and the outcome of Senegal’s appeal will have significant implications for the future of the Africa Cup of Nations. The controversy highlights the complexities of officiating and the potential for disputes to overshadow on-field achievements. For now, Senegal is focused on preparing for its upcoming matches, determined to demonstrate its quality on the pitch despite the ongoing off-field battle.

Adding to the challenges, star forward Sadio Mané is unavailable for the March friendlies due to an unspecified injury. His absence will undoubtedly be felt by the team, but Coach Thiaw will gaze to other key players to step up and lead the squad.

The upcoming matches against Peru and Gambia will provide Senegal with an opportunity to showcase its resilience and reaffirm its status as one of the top teams in African football. While the shadow of the CAF decision looms large, the Senegalese players and fans remain united in their belief that they are the rightful champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Senegalese national team’s next confirmed action is their friendly match against Peru on March 28th in Paris, France (local time). Fans can follow updates and official announcements through the Equipe du Sénégal’s official Twitter account (@GaindeYi) and the FSF website. The situation surrounding the CAN title remains a developing story, and Archysport will continue to provide updates as they become available.