Senegal coach Pape Bouna Thiaw has defiantly claimed his side remain the rightful African champions, despite the Confederation of African Football’s Appeal Board stripping them of the title.
Speaking publicly for the first time since last week’s announcement, Thiaw told reporters that tournaments should be “won on the pitch”, directly challenging the decision that awarded the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) trophy to Morocco after Senegal’s controversial 14-minute walk-off during January’s final in Rabat.
Speaking ahead of a World Cup warm-up friendly against Peru in Paris, Thiaw declared: “We know we’re African champions”.
He urged his team to maintain focus on their football, steering clear of the controversy surrounding African football’s governing body’s ruling. Senegal has since lodged an appeal with the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport.
“The most important thing is not to get distracted,” added Thiaw, who was heavily sanctioned for his role in the contentious walk-off but is permitted to lead Senegal to the World Cup in June.
He reiterated his conviction: “We know we’re African champions. We’re going to keep working to win more trophies. It’s clear in our minds that competitions and trophies are won on the pitch. We’ve done that; we’re African champions.”
The team’s schedule includes another friendly against Gambia in Dakar on Tuesday.
Echoing his coach, Senegal’s most capped international, Idrissa Gueye, underscored the team’s on-field achievements.
“As players, nothing can replace the intense emotions we experienced,” he stated.
“In the last four Cup of Nations tournaments, Senegal has reached three finals and won two African championship titles. We didn’t steal this result. It’s the work of an entire country that gives its all. We deserve to be African champions on the field.”
Both Thiaw and Gueye addressed the press in front of a backdrop emblazoned with “Champions of Africa”, hinting at a potential public display of the Cup of Nations trophy at the Stade de France – a move that could further escalate tensions with Morocco.
