Kalidou Koulibaly Reveals How He Learned CAF Stripped Senegal of AFCON 2025 Title
Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly has provided a detailed account of how he discovered that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) had stripped his national team of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title. The defender, who led the Teranga Lions to victory despite missing the final due to injury and suspension, shared the surprising manner in which he received the controversial news.
The AFCON 2025 Final Controversy
The 2025 AFCON final was overshadowed by significant controversy when Senegal players walked off the pitch on the orders of head coach Pape Thiaw. This protest was in response to a referee's decision that disallowed a Senegal goal earlier in the match. Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty in the final seconds of regular time, further escalating tensions.
Veteran forward Sadio Mane intervened to persuade his teammates to return to the field, thereby restoring order and allowing the match to continue. Moroccan player Brahim Diaz missed the subsequent penalty with an unsuccessful Panenka attempt that Senegalese goalkeeper Édouard Mendy easily saved, sending the game into extra time.
Pape Gueye ultimately scored the winning goal, securing what appeared to be Senegal's championship victory. However, the aftermath of the match has continued to generate substantial controversy within African football circles.
CAF's Investigation and Sanctions
Following the incident, CAF referred all involved parties to its Disciplinary Board for a formal hearing. The board subsequently imposed various sanctions, including fines and suspensions, on the football federations, coach Thiaw, and several players. While Senegal accepted these penalties, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) appealed the decision.
This appeal prompted CAF to reopen the investigation, with the Appeal Board ultimately ruling in favor of Morocco. The board decided to strip Senegal of the AFCON 2025 title and award Morocco a 3-0 walkover victory. However, it rejected Morocco's request to rescind Senegal's medals, trophy, and prize money.
Koulibaly's Personal Revelation
Kalidou Koulibaly has now disclosed that he learned about this dramatic decision through an unexpected source. The Senegal captain revealed that his Al-Hilal teammate Yassine Bounou, who is also Morocco's goalkeeper, informed him of the ruling before CAF made any official announcement through its channels.
"Bono was the first to tell me about the decision; he'd received a call from someone, then he joked to me, 'We're the champions now, not you,' and then I saw the CAF decision," Koulibaly explained during a press conference quoted by Goal.
The defender admitted his initial disbelief and shock upon hearing the news but emphasized his determination to maintain focus for his team's upcoming match the following day. Koulibaly also clarified that this development has not affected his relationship with Bounou, stating he maintains excellent rapport with his club teammate and has continued with his professional life despite the shocking news.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
The controversy remains unresolved as the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has formally lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). This legal process is expected to take several months before a final verdict is reached, prolonging the uncertainty surrounding the 2025 AFCON championship.
Meanwhile, Yassine Bounou has declined to engage extensively with the controversy, stating that his position aligns with that of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation. The goalkeeper has maintained a professional distance from the ongoing dispute while supporting his national federation's stance.
This unprecedented situation continues to captivate the African football community, raising questions about sportsmanship, disciplinary procedures, and the future of continental competitions. The eventual CAS ruling will likely set important precedents for how similar incidents are handled in African football moving forward.
