Senegal Moves AFCON Trophy to Military Base

Kenya Welcomes Possible 2027 AFCON Postponement Kenya Welcomes Possible 2027 AFCON Postponement
Kenya Welcomes Possible 2027 AFCON Postponement. Credit:Blueprint Newspaper.

Senegal has reportedly moved the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy to a military base in Dakar as a security measure amid a dispute with Morocco over the tournament’s outcome.

Reports indicate the trophy is now under armed guard, with soldiers allowed to take photographs alongside it.

“Senegal Coach took the AFCON to their military base today..It’s now positioned in the centre of their military camp. Protecting what rightfully belongs to them,” Topskills sports UK wrote on their X page

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The move follows the Confederation of African Football (CAF) overturning Senegal’s on-field victory and awarding Morocco a technical win in the final, leading to protests from Senegalese officials.

The CAF statement read: “The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) Appeal Board decided today that in application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 (“the Match”), with the result of the Match being recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).

“On the appeal by the FRMF regarding the application of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the CAF Appeal Board made the following rulings:

“The appeal lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is declared admissible in form and the appeal is upheld.

“The CAF Disciplinary Board decision is set aside.

“The CAF Appeal Board further finds that the conduct of the Senegal team falls within the scope of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations.

“The protest lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is upheld.

“It is declared that the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), through the conduct of its team, infringed Article 82 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations.

“In application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations, the Senegal team is declared to have forfeited the match, with the result recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).

“All other motions or prayers for relief are dismissed.”

 

Senegal Moves AFCON Trophy to Military Base
Senegal Moves AFCON Trophy to Military Base. Credit: ASSEMBLIES OF GOD WORLDWIDE/ Facebook

The Senegalese Football Federation has appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), maintaining that the team earned the title through merit.

“The Senegalese Football Federation denounces an unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable decision that discredits African football,” the statement read in part.

“To defend its rights and the interests of Senegalese football, the Federation will initiate, as soon as possible, an appeal procedure before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.”

Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw has rejected the decision outright, maintaining that his team earned the trophy fairly on the pitch.

“We will not return the cup and we will not hand it over to Morocco, and even the winning bonuses are our legitimate right,” Thiaw said.

The Senegal boss also warned that forcing such a decision on the team could lead to drastic consequences.

“We worked hard for them and we won them deservedly. If they force us to do that, it will cost us our withdrawal from this continent,” he added.

Morocco, however, has accepted the CAF decision and celebrated the technical championship.

In a statement released on Wednesday evening, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation said it had “never been about challenging the sporting performances of the teams involved”.

“Following the decision by the CAF Appeal Board, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) welcomes a ruling that upholds respect for rules that are necessary for the proper functioning of international competition.

“From the moment the final was interrupted, the FRMF has been clear in its position and goal: the application of regulations governing the competition.

“It has never been about challenging the sporting performance of the teams involved, but solely to ensure that the tournament rules are respected.”

Author

  • Jimisayo Opanuga

    Jimisayo Opanuga is a web writer in the Digital Department at News Central TV, where she covers African and international stories. Her reporting focuses on social issues, health, justice, and the environment, alongside general-interest news. She is passionate about telling stories that inform the public and give voice to underreported communities.

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