Senegal captain, Idrissa Gueye, has voiced his disappointment following the decision by the Confederation of African Football to overturn the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final result—awarding the title to Morocco and stripping Senegal of their championship status.
The ruling abruptly ended what had been a moment of celebration for Senegal, who initially believed they had secured victory in the final held in Rabat. The reversal has since sparked widespread reactions across the football community.
Gueye, who led the team during the final, shared his thoughts via Instagram on March 18, reflecting on the situation with a mix of disappointment and perspective.
“Titles, trophies, medals… all of that is only temporary,” he wrote, emphasizing that what truly matters is the safety and unity of supporters and their families.
He praised the Senegalese people for their composure, noting that they remained dignified both in triumph and in adversity—an embodiment of the nation’s spirit of “Teranga.”
While avoiding a detailed criticism, the midfielder made it clear he disagreed with the decision, stressing that the shared experience of that night cannot be taken away from the team or its fans.
“We know what we experienced in Rabat, and that can never be erased,” he added.
The decision has left Senegal’s players and supporters grappling with the loss of a title they had already celebrated, while Morocco are now officially recognised as champions.
Despite the setback, Gueye ended on a determined note, assuring fans of the team’s resolve to recover, stating simply: “We will bounce back.”