Habib Beye, Nuno Espirito Santo maintain Senegal deservedly won AFCON title

Former Senegal player and now coach of coach of Olympique de Marseille has delivered his message on Confederation of African Football (CAF) following their decision to take away their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy.

The final in Rabat was stopped for over 15 minutes as Senegal players protested the decision to award Morocco a penalty with only a few seconds remaining to the final whistle.

“Malick is champion.” 🏆

Nuno Espirito Santo shares his thoughts on the AFCON title being taken away from Senegal 💬 pic.twitter.com/6Iof8xMDWu

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) March 20, 2026

In a statement the African body cited articles 82 and 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations to determine the conduct of Senegal national team which warranted a severe penalty. The trophy was awarded to Morocco.

Senegal AFCON success deserved

“Senegal won the title on the pitch, it’s deserved, but today the situation is difficult for CAF. I hope we’ll stick to the decision made on the field. This doesn’t reflect well on our continent,” said Beye.

Meanwhile, Nuno Espirito Santo coach of West Ham United, who handles Senegal player El Hadji Malick Diouf, maintained Senegal remains the champions.

“I watched the match and I remember perfectly what happened. For me, what happens on the pitch stays on the pitch,” said Nuno Santos.

Senegal are the champions

“For me, Malick (El Hadji Malick Diouf) is the champion, period. All the decisions that follow… He’s happy and I think he deserved his medal. Have I ever seen anything like it? I don’t remember.

“It was a crazy match. And the end was full of twists and turns. I remember the coach giving instructions to the players, then they came back onto the pitch. Sadio Mané played a decisive role at that moment and they won.

“Did I speak to Malick? I was with him, I hugged him and I told him, ‘For me, you’re the champion.”

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said: “It’s a surprise! I don’t know the reason… but it’s a decision made behind the scenes.

“What happens everywhere is what we see. It didn’t happen, it always happens behind the scenes and you don’t see their faces.”

CAF President Patrice Motsepe has made it clear Senegal have the right to escalate the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).