Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly has publicly addressed his team's controversial disqualification from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). In an interview with Media Carré, the Al-Hilal defender confirmed that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) sanctioned Senegal for fielding an ineligible player during the qualifying campaign.
The ruling, described as a "walkover" defeat, resulted in Senegal forfeiting the match in question and being removed from the tournament. This decision eliminated the reigning champions from the competition they won in 2023. Koulibaly expressed his profound disappointment over the administrative error that cost his team a chance to defend their title.
While the interview touched on various topics, Koulibaly's primary focus was on the collective responsibility for the oversight and the need to move forward. The incident has sparked significant debate within African football regarding eligibility regulations and their enforcement.
