In a striking moment for Senegalese football, Sadio Mane proudly hoisted the Africa Cup of Nations trophy as he celebrated with his teammates after a hard-fought victory against Morocco in Rabat on January 18, 2026. However, as the summer World Cup approaches, the Senegalese national team will don jerseys featuring only one star rather than the anticipated two. This surprising decision is not a result of Senegal losing its Africa Cup of Nations title, but rather due to production timelines set by their kit manufacturer, Puma.
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) clarified that the production of the new jerseys commenced in August of the previous year, and due to manufacturing deadlines and industrial constraints, they could not interrupt this ongoing process. Senegal's triumph in January marked their second continental championship, following their first victory in 2021, which is symbolized by the existing star on their jerseys. Yet, controversy struck when the Confederation of African Football (CAF) ruled that Senegal forfeited the January final, declaring Morocco the winner by a 3-0 default due to Senegal leaving the field without the referee's permission.
While the FSF did not address this ruling in their public statements, they maintained a sense of pride regarding their victory and stated that the new jerseys reflecting the second star will be available after the World Cup. The federation expressed their awareness of the Senegalese people's deep connection to their national symbols and reassured supporters that the new jerseys are currently in production, set to be launched in September. In their message, the FSF also apologized for any misunderstandings this situation may have caused, thanking fans for their unwavering support and loyalty to the national team.
In light of the CAF's unprecedented decision, the FSF has announced plans to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland, a process that typically spans a year before a verdict is reached. This decision has drawn sharp criticism from the Senegalese government, which condemned the ruling as "grossly illegal and deeply unjust," even calling for an international investigation into potential corruption within African football's governing body. On the other hand, CAF President Patrice Motsepe defended the organization against accusations of favoritism toward Morocco, which is not only a co-host for the 2030 World Cup but has also heavily invested in transforming itself into a soccer powerhouse.
As reported by newsday.com.
