Ndiaye's Cheeky Dig at CAF: 'Senegal Are Still Champs of Africa' After Everton Heroics
Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye celebrated his goal in a 3-0 win over Chelsea by proclaiming Senegal the 'champions of Africa', defying CAF's decision to strip them of their AFCON 2025 title after a controversial walk-off protest. The Senegalese federation plans to appeal at CAS, calling the ruling a 'shame for Africa'. Ndiaye's bold gesture highlights ongoing tensions from the chaotic Rabat final.
Everton's Senegalese Star Fires Back at AFCON Verdict
Picture this: you're Iliman Ndiaye, fresh off smashing one into the net for Everton against Chelsea, and instead of just soaking up the applause, you turn it into a full-on statement. The lad celebrated his belter by holding up two fingers with mate Idrissa Gueye, nodding to Senegal's two AFCON crowns. Then, as the cameras rolled post-match, he straight-up declared his Lions the "champions of Africa". Bold move, son.
Everton ran out 3-0 winners at Goodison, but Ndiaye's mind was half on Merseyside, half on that messy AFCON 2025 final in Rabat. As reported by the Evening Standard via OneFootball, this isn't just banter – it's a proper protest against the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) shocking call.
The Rabat Madness: Walk-Off, Penno Drama, and a Title Snatched Away
Rewind to December. Senegal, featuring Ndiaye and a stacked squad, faced Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations decider. It was tense, goalless late on, when ref spots El Hadji Malick Diouf allegedly fouling Brahim Diaz in the box.
Cue chaos. Gaffer Pape Thiaw tells his lads to leg it off the pitch in protest. Led by legend Sadio Mane, they stroll back just in time for the spot-kick. Diaz tries a cheeky Panenka – straight down the middle – but Edouard Mendy reads it like a book and palms it away. Extra time, Pape Gueye bags the winner, Senegal lift the trophy. Job done, right?
Wrong. CAF reckoned the walk-off was a forfeit, slapped a 3-0 loss on Senegal, and handed the title to Morocco. Absolute pandemonium. Fans were fuming, calling it a stitch-up that tarnishes the lot.
Ndiaye's Goodison Gesture and Senegal's Fightback
Fast-forward to Ndiaye's first game back amid the fallout. That two-finger salute with Gueye? Crystal clear – two AFCON triumphs for the Lions (2021 and this one, in their eyes). And his post-whistle mic-drop? Pure passion. "Champions of Africa," he roared, not giving an inch.
Senegal's federation aren't messing about either. They've lodged an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), branding CAF's ruling "unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable". Secretary general Abdoulaye Seydou Sow went nuclear in a telly interview, slamming it as a "shame for Africa" with zero legal legs. "We won't back down, the law's on our side," he fired. It's like the underdog tale every footy fan loves – gritty, dramatic, and begging for a twist.
For Evertonians, it's a bonus: Ndiaye's on fire, channeling national pride into Premier League points. Chelsea? Shell-shocked again. But this saga's bigger than club footy. It's about respect for the game, dodgy calls, and players not afraid to speak out.
Will CAS flip the script? History says they don't mess around – just ask Manchester City fans over their Financial Fair Play woes. Senegal's case smells legit; that pen save happened, the goals stood. CAF's forfeit feels like sour grapes after Morocco hosted and got stitched by Mendy's mitts.
Ndiaye's stance? Classy defiance. In a world of scripted interviews, this lad's keeping it real. Pour one out for the drama – AFCON just got even spicier. What's next? Keep eyes peeled; this one's far from over.