Desailly settles it: « Africa's champion is still Senegal », not Morocco

Marcel Desailly does not recognize the Africa Cup of Nations title awarded to Morocco by default: for the former France defender, Senegal remains the true winner of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, five months after the final played on January 18 in Rabat.

The context is complex. Senegal had won that final 1-0 after extra time, but the Confederation of African Football’s appeals jury annulled the result two months later, awarding the title to Morocco by a score of 3-0. The Court of Arbitration for Sport has yet to deliver its final verdict on the matter.

« France must play Senegal, they are the winners of the Africa Cup of Nations. We cannot say that Morocco won the Africa Cup of Nations. On the pitch, for me, Africa’s champion is still Senegal », said Desailly, 1998 World Cup winner with France.

The former defender clearly distinguishes the two dimensions of the dispute. « Then there are administrative decisions, commissions, appeals… All that is another story. It is up to the courts to decide. But for the players, for the dressing room, what they keep is what they experienced on the pitch », he added.

His remarks come days before the match between France and Senegal, scheduled for June 16 as part of the 2026 World Cup. The official status of the reigning Africa Cup of Nations champion therefore remains suspended on the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s decision, even as the North American tournament has begun.