Senegal midfielder Pape Gueye has made a bold declaration about his priorities on the international stage, stating that he would rather win the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) than reach the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup.
The Villarreal midfielder, who has become a key figure in Aliou Cissé’s squad, emphasized the emotional and cultural significance of AFCON for Senegalese players and fans, saying that bringing the trophy home means more than any World Cup achievement.
“I’d take an AFCON title over a World Cup semi-final any day. Anyone who says otherwise is lying. You see the trophy we brought back to Senegal in 2021—forget the emotion it gave us. Even a World Cup final doesn’t compare to that.”
Senegal, the 2021 AFCON champions, have been drawn in Group D for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, where they will face DR Congo, Benin, and Botswana. The Lions of Teranga, ranked among Africa’s best teams, are aiming for their second continental title in four years.
Gueye, who played a crucial role in Senegal’s qualification campaign, made it clear that the team is determined to reclaim the AFCON trophy.
“We are coming for AFCON 2025. Our only goal is to win. We have the squad, the experience, and the hunger to go all the way again,” he stated confidently.
Senegal will begin their AFCON 2025 journey against Botswana, followed by a crucial tie against DR Congo, a team that reached the semi-finals of AFCON 2023. They will conclude their group stage campaign against Benin.
Gueye’s remarks highlight a growing sentiment among African footballers: AFCON is more than just a competition—it’s about national pride.
The midfielder believes that playing for Senegal carries a deeper responsibility than club football.
“Representing your country is different. A club is a career, but a national team is about identity, culture, and history. Winning AFCON means writing your name in the country’s football legacy forever.”
With Senegal’s golden generation, featuring Sadio Mané, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, and rising stars like Lamine Camara, the Lions of Teranga will be among the favorites to lift the AFCON 2025 trophy in Morocco.
As Gueye puts it: “We want to make history again.”
