Africa Cup of Nations 2025: For Alexandre Ruiz, Senegal Remains the Only Legitimate Winner

Senegal is the winner of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 — at least on the pitch. Two months after the Lions of Teranga’s extra-time victory over Morocco (1-0), the legal dispute remains unresolved: the CAF appeals jury awarded the title to Morocco by default, but the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has yet to deliver its final ruling.

For journalist Alexandre Ruiz, however, the debate admits no ambiguity. “There was a final whistle, a winner. And for me, the winner at the final whistle is the winner of the competition. QED,” he declared. “As it stands, for me, Senegal is the winner of this Africa Cup of Nations. Period. It’s the best team in Africa, it won the title on the pitch.”

Beyond the administrative dispute, Ruiz sees Pape Thiaw’s team as a serious contender for the 2026 World Cup. Drawn in Group I alongside France, Norway and Iraq, Senegal approaches the tournament with stated ambitions. “What’s missing for Senegal to be world champions? Today, not much. Senegal is the spearhead of African football, which is ultra powerful,” he believes.

The journalist pushes the metaphor further by evoking a clash of continental legitimacies: “The king of Africa will face the king of Europe, the king of America, the king of Asia. And like the other kings, the king of Africa has his chances.” He concedes, however, a degree of uncertainty: “Perhaps a small luck factor is missing. It’s hard to know today whether this Senegal team is capable or not of going for the world title.” The potential, according to him, is undeniable.

The CAS decision, expected in the coming weeks, will officially determine which country’s name is inscribed in the record books of this edition of the Africa Cup of Nations.