Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media

Max Wilkins

Wed 18 March 2026 14:10, UK

Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gueye have both spoken out from Everton after Senegal were stripped of their AFCON victory.

The duo both spent the winter featuring for the Lions and helped Pape Thiaw’s side to a second Africa Cup of Nations trophy on the bounce.

A Pape Gueye strike in extra time at Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah was enough to seal the title for Senegal after a farce of a final.

The eventual winners left the pitch before the 90 minutes were up for a controversial penalty call and have now been punished for their actions.

Everton pair Ndiaye and Gueye both featured against Morocco and have felt the impacts, but have shared their own reactions on social media.

What did Everton star Iliman Ndiaye say about the AFCON overturn?

The first major honour of the attacking midfielder’s career came after securing a 1-0 win against Morocco in mid-January.

He started in the final, and the pride was clear for all to see, something which hasn’t faded as his celebration post remains pinned to the top of his Instagram profile.

The post features a caption reading, “African champions”, something which has since been ripped away from him by the Confederation of African Football.

CAF have now said that Senegal breached Article 82 of the regulations, which states that if a team refuses to play or leaves the ground before the end of regulation time without the referee’s authorisation, it will be considered the loser and eliminated from the competition.

In the midst of this verdict, Ndiaye has taken to Instagram once again to share an image of himself with the trophy and another post with the caption, “Earned, not given.”

Ndiaye and Gueye have both been impacted by the AFCON ruling, but aren’t taking the decision lying down.

Idrissa Gueye sends message as Senegal stripped of AFCON title

The former Sheffield United man has been largely reserved in his response to the verdict in comparison to his club and country teammate.

Gueye certainly hasn’t held back and has made his feelings massively clear on Instagram that no one can take the feeling of the AFCON win from Senegal.

He said: “Titles, trophies, medals… all of that is fleeting. What truly matters is that every supporter can return home to their family.

“The Senegalese people have shown their true character: dignified in victory, dignified in adversity. That is Teranga. We know what we experienced that night in Rabat. And that, no one can take away from us, God willing.”

The defensive midfielder’s feelings are clear and prove just how steely the Everton duo and their national outfit are going to be against such a controversial verdict.