Senegal’s African Cup of Nations triumph has sparked a major standoff after head coach Pape Thiaw moved the championship trophy to a military base amid a dispute with Morocco over the title.
Sources report that the trophy is now under heavy guard at a secure military facility, with soldiers allowed to take photos with it, a symbolic move signaling Senegal’s refusal to cede the award.
The relocation comes after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) controversially awarded Morocco a technical victory in the final, overturning Senegal’s on-field win and naming the North African nation champions, a decision that has ignited outrage in Dakar.
“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.
Senegalese football authorities have rejected CAF’s ruling and filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), insisting that the title was “won on merit” and should not be decided administratively.
The dispute has drawn strong reactions from players and officials.
Captain Kalidou Koulibaly has publicly challenged CAF’s decision, while officials within the Senegalese federation insist that surrendering the trophy before a final legal ruling would be premature.
Meanwhile, Morocco has accepted the decision, with players and officials celebrating the ruling as confirmation of their championship status.
The controversy has also raised broader concerns about governance and consistency in African football, with analysts warning that the outcome could set a significant precedent for future tournaments.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe has called for calm, promising transparency and fairness as the governing body faces growing scrutiny.
As Africa’s premier football tournament, AFCON has gained global significance, making the dispute particularly sensitive for the continent’s sporting reputation.
With the case now before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the final ownership of the trophy remains uncertain, leaving African football and its fans awaiting a decisive ruling in one of the tournament’s most contentious controversies.
