Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly recounts Bounou’s shock AFCON announcement

Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly has recounted how his Al Hilal teammate and Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou disclosed the 2025 Africa Cup of Nation title stripping to him.

The Confederation of African Football Appeal Board recently declared Morocco champions, after stripping off Senegal the title.

The two Al Hilal stars were going about their usual routine when Bounou approached Koulibaly with what initially sounded like a light-hearted jab.

“A few days ago, Yassine came to see me and said: ‘You’re no longer African champions,’” Koulibaly recounted. “I thought he was joking.”

Given their camaraderie at club level and the friendly rivalry between their nations, Koulibaly had every reason to dismiss the comment as banter. After all, Senegal had proudly held the African crown following their historic triumph at the Africa Cup of Nations. But within minutes, the mood shifted dramatically.

Both players reportedly received an official communication from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), confirming that Senegal had been stripped of their title—with Morocco now recognized as the new African champions.

“Neither of us could believe it,” Koulibaly admitted. “We just looked at each other and started laughing.”

What began as a joke suddenly became a surreal reality, sparking confusion and disbelief—not just between the two teammates, but across the wider football community.

Bounou, Morocco’s first-choice goalkeeper and a national hero, now finds himself in the unusual position of sharing a dressing room with a player whose title has effectively been reassigned to his own country. The irony was not lost on either man.

“We reckon that Al Hilal now holds two African titles at the same time,” Koulibaly added with a smile, highlighting the bizarre nature of the situation.

While details surrounding CAF’s decision remain unclear, the development—if upheld—would mark one of the most controversial rulings in the history of the competition. Stripping a nation of a major continental title is an extraordinary measure, certain to ignite debate, appeals, and scrutiny in the coming days.

For Koulibaly and Bounou, however, the moment remains one of shared disbelief—proof that in football, even the most unlikely jokes can sometimes turn into reality.