Senegalese players mocked CAF on social media after it awarded the AFCON title to Morocco

Senegal national team players on Tuesday ridiculed the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) decision to strip them of the Africa Cup of Nations title.

Morocco were declared Africa Cup of Nations champions after Senegal forfeited their match in Rabat on January 18 after walking off the field in protest at a potentially decisive penalty awarded against them.

It returned after 14 minutes to win the match 1–0 thanks to a Pape Gueye goal in extra time. The CAF Board of Appeal replaced that result late on Tuesday with a 3-0 victory for Morocco.

Senegal’s players responded with jokes and sarcastic comments on social media cdso.

Midfielder Pathe Ciss posted a photo of himself holding the trophy and celebrating on X, saying: “You can give the ‘cry babies three more goals’ with a laughing emoji attached to it.

READ ALSO: Senegal loses AFCON title – Five other teams lost trophies after winning them

Midfielder Mamadou Lamine Camara said: «Who will come and collect our medals?» and asked when the Moroccan parade was scheduled.

Center back Moussa Niakhate posted an image of the aftermath of the final and wrote: “This is not AI, this is real,” while defender El Hadji Malick Diouf said: “This trophy is won on the pitch, not by email.”

Striker Boulaye Dia added: “You don’t create emotions; you have to experience them.”

Midfielder Idrissa Gueye opted for a more philosophical approach on Instagram. «Titles, trophies, medals – it’s all fleeting. What really matters is that every fan can go home to his family… We know what we experienced that night in Rabat. And no one can take that away from us,» he wrote.

The Senegalese Football Federation has condemned the decision to strip the title, calling it «unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable», while the country’s government on Wednesday pushed for an independent international investigation into CAF.

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation acknowledged the decision and reiterated that the appeal was solely aimed at correct application of the competition rules. CAF did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Published on March 18, 2026