Senegal coach Pape Thiaw on Friday insisted that “trophies are won on the pitch” following the decision to strip his team of the Africa Cup of Nations title and declare Morocco as champions.
Speaking at a press conference in Paris ahead of Senegal’s friendly against Peru at the Stade de France, Thiaw said he remained focused on preparing his team. “It is important to not be distracted. Everyone knows we are the champions of Africa. We are going to keep working hard to try to win more trophies. It is clear in our minds that trophies are won on the pitch,” he added.
The friendly against Peru will be Senegal’s first match since the AFCON final against Morocco in Rabat on January 18. Senegal initially won 1:0 with Pape Gueye scoring in extra time after a chaotic end to normal time when several players walked off in protest at a penalty decision. The incident sparked a pitch invasion by some supporters and delayed the game for almost 20 minutes.
However, the Confederation of African Football later upheld Morocco’s appeal, citing Senegal’s breach of tournament regulations, turning the result into a 3-0 forfeit and awarding Morocco the championship. Senegal has since lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland.
Captain Idrissa Gana Gueye emphasised that the team deserved the title on the pitch. “Nothing can replace the emotions we have experienced. A whole country put in the work, a nation which gives everything on the field and off it,” he said, recalling Senegal’s recent successes, including winning the 2022 AFCON and reaching the 2019 final.
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