Senegal coach Pape Thiaw insisted Friday that “trophies are won on the pitch” when asked about the decision to strip his team of the Africa Cup of Nations title and declare Morocco the champions.
“I am focused on my job. It is important to not be distracted. Everyone knows we are the champions of Africa,” Thiaw told reporters at a press conference in Paris, ahead of his team’s friendly meeting with Peru on Saturday at the Stade de France.
“We are going to keep working hard to try to win more trophies. It is clear in our minds that trophies are won on the pitch.”
Saturday’s game is part of Senegal’s preparations for the upcoming World Cup, when they will play France, Norway and the winner of a play-off between Bolivia and Iraq in the group stage in the United States.
The Peru match will also be their first outing since the Cup of Nations final against Morocco in Rabat on January 18.
Senegal won 1-0 thanks to Pape Gueye’s extra-time goal, but the occasion was marred by chaotic scenes at the end of normal time when many of Thiaw’s players walked off the pitch in protest at the decision to award Morocco a penalty with the score still goalless.
Some Senegalese supporters also attempted a pitch invasion, and the game was held up for almost 20 minutes before the Senegal players returned.
