Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gana Gueye find themselves on the receiving end of an extremely harsh decision after the Confederation of African Football (Caf) decided to overturn the result of the Afcon final and strip Senegal of the title.
The decision comes two months after the Lions of Teranga beat hosts Morocco 1-0 in a controversy-marred final in Rabat and in response to the Senegalese players walking off the pitch in protest after the hosts were awarded a bizarre penalty in the final minutes of the game.
They came back on the field a few minutes later and the game proceeded to extra time after Brahim Diaz missed the ensuing spot-kick.
Pape Gueye scored the only goal of the game in the 94th minute to help Senegal win their second continental title but the Caf have overturned the decision and awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory instead.
Ndiaye has taken to Instagram showing a picture of Senegal lifting the trophy and remarked: “Earned not given!”
Meanwhile, Gueye, who won the tournament for a second time, wrote in French: “Titles, trophies, medals… all of this is fleeting. What really matters is that every supporter can go home and meet his family.
“The Senegalese people have shown what they are: worthy in victory; worthy in ordeal. This is the Teranga.
“We know what we experienced that night in Rabat. And no one will be able to take that away from us, inch’Allah (God willing).”
Both Ndiaye and Gueye were greeted with a hero’s welcome on their return to Finch Farm following their victory. Ahead of Everton’s fixture at home against Leeds United posed for photographs on the pitch with fans who had made a banner reading: “Our Kings of Africa” wearing their medals on their necks.