Pape Gueye will not hand back his African champion’s medal

For the Senegalese international, the Lions of Teranga won this final on the pitch and no controversy could undermine that success.

The debate continues over the decision by the African Football Confederation’s Appeal Committee to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and award it to Morocco. In an interview with the newspaper L’Equipe, Pape Gueye states that there is no doubt as to who the true 2025 African champions are. In his view, the world witnessed Senegal’s victory in Rabat on 18 January. Consequently, despite the CAF’s decision, he will not hand back his African champion’s medal.

We managed to win that final on the pitch; the world saw it. And as for the medals, they’re here with us. I’m not prepared to hand over my medal. The whole world knows full well that the Africa Cup of Nations was won by Senegal.