Senegal Unveils Two-Star Kit, Reaffirming Claim to AFCON Crown Despite CAF Strip

Senegal has escalated its standoff with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) by officially incorporating a second star onto its national team kit. This defiant move comes in direct response to the governing body’s decision to revoke the Lions of Teranga’s 2025 AFCON title.

In a further show of defiance, Senegal presented the AFCON trophy before a friendly match against Peru.

The inclusion of a second star symbolizes Senegal’s refusal to accept CAF’s ruling, with the country already filing an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to challenge the decision.

Head coach Pape Thiaw reaffirmed the team’s stance, insisting that their achievement cannot be erased.

“We are champions, we know we are African champions. We want to go after other trophies in the future. But we are clear: it is won on the green rectangle and we did it,” he said.

Veteran midfielder Gana Gueye echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the emotional significance of the triumph.

“The intense emotions we’ve experienced, nothing can replace that. We didn’t steal this result; we’ve been champions twice in recent years. We earned it on the field, and we’ll try to fight off the field as well,” he said.

Senegal’s legal representative, Maître Seydou Diagne, confirmed that the country has followed due process in its appeal.

“We have worked calmly, we have completed our procedures within the deadlines, we have assembled our international team calmly,” he told journalists.

He also questioned the legitimacy of Morocco’s claim to the title, stating:

“It’s Morocco that proclaims itself champion. CAF hasn’t done so yet. There is no provision in the framework that proclaims it.”

Diagne further warned of the broader implications of the case:

“If the CAS lets Morocco do what it’s doing, imagine what will happen at the World Cup. We won’t need to set up football academies anymore; train good lawyers and we’ll sort it out.”

Senegal Football Federation President, Abdoulaye Fall described the situation as unprecedented and deeply concerning.

“The hour is grave. We are witnessing an administrative hold up, the most brazen in the history of our sport. This is a battle that goes beyond the green rectangle. It is about preserving the honor of our players, of African football, and of our supporters, victims of an unjustified diplomatic blackmail,” he said.

The legal battle has now moved to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), with a final ruling typically anticipated within nine to twelve months.

This legal resolution could be fast-tracked through an expedited process, potentially delivering a verdict within two months. However, this accelerated timeline is strictly contingent upon the formal agreement of all involved parties, most notably CAF and the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF).

Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, Senegal’s players and officials have doubled down on their claim to the title, maintaining that victory on the pitch outweighs any administrative ruling. This sentiment was on full display during their recent 2-0 victory over Peru at the Stade de France, where the team transformed a World Cup warm-up into a celebration of their contested championship.