“Senegal are the legitimate African champions,” El-Hadji Diouf breaks his silence following the CAF Appeals Committee’s decision

The former Senegal international said he was as shocked as everyone else, but insisted that a sporting victory cannot be overturned by decisions made off the pitch.

El-Hadji Diouf spoke on Sunday 22 March on the sidelines of a FIFA event in Paris. In his remarks, the former Lions of Teranga striker did not mince his words regarding the Confederation of African Football’s decision to overturn Senegal’s victory in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final and award it to Morocco. For Diouf, beyond the administrative decision, the truth of what happened on the pitch remains. He called for calm and for trust in the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Shocked like everyone else, but I believe things will soon be back to normal; we trust the Court of Arbitration for Sport and we are confident. We know we won on the pitch and that’s what matters most. And I wanted to thank all the countries and everyone who supported us. I believe that, without a doubt, everyone is aware and knows that Senegal is the legal African champion.