Edouard Mendy: ‘Why should I not feel like AFCON champion?’

Senegal national team goalkeeper Édouard Mendy insists there is no question that the Teranga Lions are the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) champions despite being stripped of the title.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeals Committee dealt Senegal a blow by ruling that the West African forfeited the AFCON title after they walked off the pitch and came back 15 minutes later during the January 18 final against Morocco.

Senegal players had stormed out of the pitch to the dressing room in protest over the referee’s decision to award the Atlas Lions a penalty.

When Senegal’s skipper of the day Sadio Mane intervened for play to resume in the second half, Real Madrid star Brahim Diaz missed his penalty kick for the hosts. Eventually, the game drifted into extra time which saw Pape Thiaw’s men score the ultimate winner through Pape Gueye.

Two months later, CAF Appeals Committee meted out the sanctions on Senegal including declaring that Morocco are the legitimate champions.

Mendy takes on BBC reporter over AFCON saga

However, the Senegalese are not taking matters lying down. Mendy, speaking to the BBC, insisted they are still the champions.

“My question is: ‘why should I not feel as an African champion? He told a BBC reporter who responded that ‘I don’t know’

“…Even you say you don’t know because you don’t have any reason to feel like I am not the champion. What you feel is what everybody feels that Senegal are the champions. Everybody feels that Senegal are the champions. So, there is no question about it.”

Mendy describes CAF decision as embarrassing

The former Chelsea FC star accused the Confederation of African Football’s committee for declaring the Atlas Lions as champions based on a boardroom decision.

“There was another game on another field which we cannot unfortunately control. The football on the pitch made by African footballers is going faster than these people in the offices. It is a shame for Africa, but these things need to change. We need to be on the same level everywhere,” the UEFA Champions League winner added.

On Saturday, Senegal celebrated their 2-0 victory over Peru in a friendly by parading the AFCON trophy at the Stade de France.

Meanwhile, the Senegalese Football Federation has lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport to challenge CAF’s commitee’s decision.