Pape Gueye is standing firm. The Villarreal midfielder, who scored in Senegal’s extra-time victory over Morocco in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, refuses to return his medal. The Senegalese Football Federation was later deprived of their title in March after the CAF’s appeal committee ruled the final should be replayed due to controversial refereeing decisions. However, Gueye remains unshaken in his conviction.

In an interview with L’Équipe, the former Marseille player declared with certainty: “Of course we are African champions. Simply because we won on the field of play. The entire world saw it. Yes, there were incidents, the match was interrupted, but it resumed. When the penalty was awarded, not a single Moroccan player wanted to stop the game—they all wanted to take it. So why should the result be overturned in the end? And besides, the medals are already with us.”

The controversy surrounding the final stemmed from a disallowed Senegal goal before a contentious penalty was awarded to Morocco. The Senegalese team walked off the pitch in protest following the second decision. After returning to the field, Morocco’s Brahim Díaz missed the penalty with a panenka attempt.

Pape Gueye scored the only goal of the match in extra time, sealing the victory. His teammate Idrissa Gueye had previously hinted at returning his medal to ease tensions, but Pape Gueye quickly dismissed the idea: “No, no, that was just a joke. I told him I’m not giving up my medal! The whole world knows Senegal won the cup.”

Senegal appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sport

In late March, Senegal presented their Africa Cup of Nations trophy during a friendly match at the Stade de France. This came shortly after the CAF’s appeal committee’s decision to strip Senegal of their title, prompting the Senegalese Football Federation to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The CAS has not yet set a timeline for its decision, which will bring an end to the saga as neither team will have further recourse.