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Senegal defiantly displayed the Africa Cup of Nations trophy to their supporters on Saturday before going on to beat Peru 2-0 in their World Cup warm-up game at the Stade de France.

Nicolas Jackson ​scored four minutes before halftime and Ismaila Sarr added a second in the 54th as ‌Senegal won their first game since January’s Cup of Nations final, when they beat Morocco only to be stripped of the title this month.

The Confederation of African Football’s Appeal Board awarded Morocco the Cup of Nations title after Senegal had staged a 14-minute walk ​off during the final in Rabat, a decision that Senegal is contesting at the Court of Arbitration ​for Sport.

An hour before kick off in Paris on Saturday, Senegal’s players and coach ⁠Pape Bouna Thiaw walked around the pitch with the trophy to a delirious reception from a near-capacity crowd ​as they continue to scoff at the CAF decision.

Thiaw had declared on Friday that “we know we're African champions” ​and the team wore a newly designed strip featuring two stars above their badge, representing success in the Cup of Nations in 2021 and again this year.

Jackson had an easy put-away for the first goal after a storming run down the right wing ​by Senegal’s teenage starlet Ibrahima Mbaye, taking over the attacking mantle with Sadio Mane absent.

Sarr latched onto a ​ricocheted ball that fell perfectly into his path but had to power past two defenders before scoring the second goal.

There ‌was also ⁠a convincing win for the Ivory Coast as they hammered South Korea 4-0 at Stadium MK, north of London, on Saturday.

Like Senegal, the Ivorians are among the nine African countries who will compete at the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the U.S starting in June.

Evann Guessand scuffed home the first goal in the 35th ​minute after being set up ​by debutant Martial Godo, ⁠who then scored the third himself from a rebound at a corner after 62 minutes.

In between, Simon Adingra announced his return to the team with a rasping shot ​on the stroke of halftime to make it 2-0.

He had been omitted from ​the squad for ⁠the Cup of Nations in Morocco at the turn of the year, where the Ivorians were defending their title but went out in the quarter-finals.

Defender Wilfried Singo, another player back in the squad, side-footed the fourth goal with the ⁠last ​kick of the game.

The Ivorians next face Scotland at Everton’s Hill ​Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool, while Senegal head home to play neighbours Gambia in Dakar on Tuesday where they are expected to again brandish ​the golden trophy in front of their home support.

https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/defiant-senegal-display-afcon-trophy-before-beating-peru-friendly-2026-03-28/#:~:text=PARIS%2C%20March%2028%20(Reuters),at%20the%20Stade%20de%20France.

🚨🏆 Senegal show their AFCON trophy ahead of today’s game! 🇸🇳 pic.twitter.com/OXTl0we93r

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 28, 2026

CAF was bribed by Morroco.

If its NIGERIA you hear nonsense like we are big brother. See countries passionately defending themselves.

Morocco and high BP right now.

Senegalese are not cowering to intimidation. Did anyone watch Morocco vs Ecuador? Morocco did not leave the field for the goal?

Morocco should cover their face in shame

CAF; a now Disgraced Organisation.

The CAF members that took that nonsense boardroom decision to award already won trophy, should be subjected to psychiatric evaluation.

NEVER IN THE HISTORY OF FOOTBALL HAS A REFEREE'S ON-FIELD DECISION BEEN REVERSED, AND ALREADY WON TROPHY RE-AWARDED.

[quote author=Freshandfitpod post=138922738]Morocco should cover their face in shame[/quote

CAF left the WhatsApp group with speed.

Nice one from the real African champions

Sport court of Arbitration will make the final decision, when they make their verdict, we will know the actual winner.

esnbrutality:
If its NIGERIA you hear nonsense like we are big brother. See countries passionately defending themselves.

Infact, the internal sellouts will start shouting at NFF to return the cup before day break. They will start quoting laws how we violated international rule of football by walking out of the pitch.

Nigeria is too weak and fragile to be a country. That's why politicians are manipulating us any how. A single politician brave enough like Tinubu can hold the whole country to ransom. Isn't that funny?

The Senegal FA suppose sack that thier coach for ordering the players to leave the pitch...that would have cost them alot.

Morocco is now scarecrow. Very irritating.na so FIFA go just dey laugh them for belle

remove the word defiant

Very wrong to use

CAF should leave the cup for them. How can they make such a decision after celebration

Caf done jam their match.

They are telling CAF to do their worst

uzo4real:
The Senegal FA suppose sack that thier coach for ordering the players to leave the pitch...that would have cost them alot.

But they would have lost the game na....

CodeTemplar:
Morocco and high BP right now.

You're not current bro.
Morroco rejected the trophy already

Morroco Should also flaunt their winning AFCON trophy if they get mind 🤣🤣🤣

uzo4real:
The Senegal FA suppose sack that thier coach for ordering the players to leave the pitch...that would have cost them alot.

Walahi, I have been wondering where the Coach derived such power to single handedly take such a crucial decision on behalf of his country.
He didn't consider so many things beyond on pitch football. The impact on diplomacy and sportsmanship.

DeclanR:
You're not current bro.
Morroco rejected the trophy already

Which Morroco, Oga check your facts.
Morroco is still actively pursuing to retrieve the cup from Senegal

The true meaning of pepper dem

Show it to the world, the trophy is yours only.

These guys are just tormenting CAF, we have your back guys

DeclanR:
You're not current bro.
Morroco rejected the trophy already

Morocco did not. It was Hakimi that rejected it not the entire Moroccan team

Lifestone:
Which Morroco, Oga check your facts.
Morroco is still actively pursuing to retrieve the cup from Senegal

Then, shame on them for lacking sportsmanship

DeclanR:
Then, shame on them for lacking sportsmanship

Following the rule is part of sportsmanship!
Senegal should have played according to the rules, because the rules are part of the game, you can't separate it