Senegal win first game after AFCON

By John Ogunsemore

Senegal defeated Peru 2-0 on Saturday in an international friendly at Stade de France, marking the Teranga Lions’ first victory since the controversial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final.

Nicolas Jackson opened the scoring in the 41st minute with a clinical finish from an assist by Ibrahim Mbaye, and Ismaïla Sarr doubled the lead in the 54th minute with a composed strike from the center of the box.

Senegal controlled large portions of the match and kept a clean sheet against a Peruvian side that struggled to create clear chances.

The result comes barely two weeks after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) stripped Senegal of the AFCON 2025 title.

Senegal had beaten host nation Morocco 1-0 in extra time in the January 18 final, with Pape Gueye scoring the decisive goal.

However, following a protest walk-off by Senegalese players over a late VAR decision and penalty award to Morocco, CAF’s appeals board ruled Senegal forfeited the match, recording it as a 3-0 win for Morocco and awarding the trophy to the hosts.

Senegal’s players and federation have rejected the ruling, insisting the title was won on the pitch.

The West African nation also lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Ahead of Saturday’s friendly, the squad paraded the AFCON trophy on the field in front of fans, led by captain Kalidou Koulibaly, as a show of defiance.

Head coach Pape Thiaw emphasised the team’s focus on football matters, stating, “Trophies are won on the pitch” and “Everyone knows we are the champions of Africa… we’ll keep working to win more.”

The friendly served as preparation for Senegal’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, where the team will appear for the fourth time overall and third consecutively.