Pape Gueye has no intention of parting with his African champion medal. Despite the Sénégal national team being officially stripped of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title in March, the midfielder remains adamant about their victory on the pitch against Maroc, which ended in a 1-0 win after extra time.
In a recent interview, the Villarreal midfielder expressed his conviction regarding the situation. “We are the champions of Africa, it’s as simple as that,” he stated. According to the former OM player, the global audience witnessed their triumph during the final. He dismissed the administrative reversal, noting that even when a penalty was awarded to Maroc during the match, no opposing player wanted to stop the game. “The medals are with us, in our homes,” he added firmly.
A final marked by high tension
The match was marred by significant controversy in its closing stages. After a Sénégal goal was disallowed and a penalty was subsequently given to the Atlas Lions, the Lions of Teranga briefly exited the field in protest. Upon their return to the grass, Brahim Diaz failed to convert the penalty, attempting a panenka that missed the mark. Pape Gueye eventually secured the win by scoring the only goal of the match during the extra-time period.
The legal battle continues at the CAS
Addressing rumors that his teammate Idrissa Gueye was prepared to return his medal to ease diplomatic tensions, Pape Gueye clarified that those remarks were purely sarcastic. He reiterated that the world recognizes Sénégal as the rightful winners of the tournament. The Sénégal Football Federation has already taken the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) following the controversial decision by the CAF appeal jury.
While the Sénégal squad recently showcased the trophy during a friendly match held at the Stade de France, they are now waiting for a final, binding ruling from the CAS. This legal decision will represent the ultimate conclusion to the dispute, as no further appeals will be possible for either nation once the verdict is delivered.
