Senegal Coach Moves AFCON Trophy to Military Base After CAF Decision

In a bold move that has caught attention across Africa, Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw has reportedly taken the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy to a military base on March 19, 2026. This comes after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) made a controversial decision to take away the title from Senegal.

What Led to the Dispute

The issue started during the AFCON final played in January 2026. Senegal won the match 1-0 against Morocco in Rabat. However, the game did not end smoothly.

Late in the match, the referee awarded Morocco a penalty. This decision caused strong protests from the Senegal team. Coach Pape Thiaw instructed his players to leave the pitch, leading to a stoppage that lasted about 15 minutes.

CAF Changes the Result

On March 17, 2026, CAF’s appeals board reviewed the incident and made a new ruling. The organization said Senegal’s actions were against the rules and treated the walk-off as a forfeit.

Because of this, Morocco was awarded a 3-0 win and officially declared the new AFCON champions.

Strong Reaction from Senegal

The decision has not been accepted in Senegal. Government officials and the national football federation have strongly criticized CAF, calling the ruling unfair and questionable.

They have also announced plans to challenge the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Trophy Taken to Military Camp

In a dramatic response, reports say the AFCON trophy has been placed at a military base in Senegal. This action is being seen as a symbol of national pride and resistance.

Some supporters and officials have even suggested that if CAF or Morocco wants the trophy, they will have to go and collect it themselves. This shows that Senegal is not willing to return the trophy easily.