The Senegalese national team paraded the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations trophy before their international friendly match against Peru in France on Saturday, despite having the title stripped by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeals Board.

Led by captain Kalidou Koulibaly, the Senegalese players, wearing their AFCON medals, presented the disputed trophy to thousands of fans inside the Stade de France as the West African nation maintained its claim of being the reigning African champions.

The CAF Appeals Board had on March 17 overturned the outcome of the 2025 AFCON final in favour of Morocco, citing the Lions of Teranga’s decision to temporarily walk out of the match following a controversial late penalty awarded against them.

The Senegalese Football Federation rejected the verdict and filed an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Wednesday to challenge the decision.

The federation, however, argued that Senegal remains the champions of Africa, noting that the appeal panel had yet to explain the reasons behind the judgement.

“To be valid, a decision must be explained. It has not been, so Senegal are still African champions,” Serge Vittoz, part of a six-lawyer legal team handling the case, said at a press conference in Paris on Thursday.

Lawyer Seydou Diagne also claimed at the press conference that there had been no order from CAF or its appeals panel asking Senegal to return the trophy and medals.

“To reassure the supporters, the fans and those who believe in the right to justice and to the protection of sporting discipline values of football, do not worry.

“There is no decision today from CAF or its appeals jury that orders the Senegalese Football Federation or the national team to return their medals or to return the trophy on the pitch; those decisions do not exist,” Mr Diagne stated.