Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye says Senegal still regard themselves as Africa’s rightful champions despite the ongoing legal battle over the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)title.
Senegal defeated Morocco 1-0 after extra time in the AFCON final earlier this year, but controversy erupted after several Senegal players and officials briefly walked off the pitch following a late penalty awarded to the host nation.
In March, the Confederation of African Football Appeals Board ruled that Senegal breached tournament regulations by leaving the field without the referee’s permission and later awarded the title to Morocco.
The Senegalese Football Federation has since challenged the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Speaking about the situation, Ndiaye insisted the CAF decision had not changed the team’s belief that they earned the trophy on the pitch.
“Obviously, in our eyes and many other people’s eyes, we are the champions of Africa,” the Everton forward said.
“Whatever their decisions will be, it doesn’t disturb us.”
The AFCON final in Rabat descended into chaos during stoppage time after Senegal had a goal ruled out for a foul on Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi.
Moments later, referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty following a VAR review involving Brahim Diaz and Senegal defender El Hadji Malick Diouf.
The decision sparked protests from Senegal players, substitutes and coaching staff, with some briefly leaving the field before eventually returning to continue the match.
Ndiaye admitted emotions boiled over during the dramatic sequence.
“It was just a bit of unfairness that happened for us,” he said.
“That’s what we thought on the pitch with the goal being disallowed and then the penalty, which we don’t think was a penalty, in the space of a short time.
“Emotions were really high and you do things straight away.”
Morocco failed to convert the penalty after Edouard Mendy saved Brahim Diaz’s effort before Pape Gueye scored the decisive winner in extra time.
CAF’s decision months later to strip Senegal of the title generated heated reactions across African football circles, with many supporters questioning the timing and severity of the ruling.
Ndiaye said the controversy had not reflected positively on the image of the African game.
“The main focus is that we came back, they took the penalty, they could have won it, we scored, we won the game,” he added.
“To take all of that away two months after the final whistle… I don’t understand.”
The winger also argued that referees’ decisions during matches should remain respected once games are completed.
“If you give the decision to the referee on the pitch, you’ve got to leave that decision to him and leave it how it is,” he said.
“In Africa we have to stay together, be strong and do everything in our power to lift up African football. It wasn’t a great look so I just hope they put it right.”
Despite the lingering dispute, Senegal are now focused on preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they have been drawn alongside France, Norway and Iraq.
Ndiaye said the squad remained fully motivated heading into the tournament.
“The same focus and hunger and determination that we had going into the AFCON, we’re going to do the same going into the World Cup,” he said.
“It’s another trophy on the line and nothing’s going to distract us.”
