Pape Guèye — CAN 2026
The controversy surrounding the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations final between Senegal and Morocco continues to fuel debate. In an interview with French sports daily L'Équipe, Senegalese midfielder Pape Guèye addressed the contentious episode with an unequivocal stance.
While the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has decided to award the victory to Morocco by default, pending a final ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the Senegalese player stands firm: for him, the Lions of Teranga remain the true African champions.
As the sole scorer in that final, Pape Guèye believes Senegal's victory is beyond sporting dispute. He points out that the match was played to its conclusion, despite the incidents and interruption that marred the encounter.
"Of course we feel like champions, because we proved it on the pitch. Everyone saw that we won that final. There were incidents, an interruption, but the match resumed normally. At the moment of the penalty, no Moroccan player refused to continue. So why question the result after the fact?" he asks.
Regarding the possibility of returning the medals—mentioned ironically by his teammate Idrissa Guèye—the Senegalese midfielder is categorical: out of the question for him to part with his.
"The medals are with us. Give them back? No, that's not conceivable. It was a joke. Me, I am not ready to give mine back. Everyone knows that this cup was won by Senegal," he insists.
Pape Guèye acknowledges, however, that some choices made during the match, notably the temporary walk-off, may not have been the best. But he justifies them by the tension and sense of injustice felt during that high-stakes final.
He finally highlights the decisive role of Sadio Mané, who managed to rally the team at a critical moment: "Sadio asked us to go back on the pitch and play like men. We listened to him. There was a saved penalty, then extra time… and my goal."
While awaiting the final verdict from CAS, Pape Guèye's statements have reignited the already heated saga surrounding this controversial final.
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