Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly has revealed that Morocco's goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, known as Bono, was the first to inform him of the result that eliminated Senegal from 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification. The incident occurred after Morocco's 4-0 victory over Congo on June 11, 2024, which, combined with Senegal's concurrent 2-1 loss to Mauritania, secured Morocco's place in the tournament at Senegal's expense.
"Bono was the first to announce the decision to me," Koulibaly stated in a press conference, as reported by media including Le360. "He received a call from someone, then he told me jokingly: 'It's us who are the champions now, not you.'" The exchange happened while both players were in Saudi Arabia for club duties with Al-Hilal and Al-Shabab, respectively.
The result marked a significant setback for Senegal, the 2022 World Cup participants, and confirmed Morocco's early qualification for the 2026 tournament. Koulibaly's comments highlight the personal connections between players despite intense international rivalry. No further details about a conversation regarding Karim Benzema were verified in recent reports.
