Koulibaly Reveals Bounou Broke Senegal's AFCON Title Stripping News
Kalidou Koulibaly has revealed that he first learned of the controversial decision to strip Senegal of their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations title from his Al Hilal teammate and Moroccan rival, Yassine Bounou. The Senegalese captain disclosed the unusual circumstances in an interview with Carré on YouTube, explaining that Bounou received a call with the news while they were together and immediately informed him.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced on March 17 that Senegal was being stripped of the title due to eligibility rule breaches, with Morocco, the 2021 runners-up, set to be awarded the championship. Koulibaly described his disbelief upon hearing the news from his fellow goalkeeper. "I was destabilised and I said to myself: 'Is he joking?' But that was not the case," Koulibaly said. "A few seconds later, I received the CAF statement... I couldn't believe it."
Despite the high-stakes international rivalry, Koulibaly was adamant that the incident has not damaged his relationship with Bounou. The two veterans have been club teammates at Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal since 2023. "Yassine told me jokingly: 'You are no longer champions of Africa, we are the champions of Africa!' We laughed about it," Koulibaly stated. "There is no problem with Yassine Bounou because we have a very good relationship."
The decision remains provisional pending a final ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), to which the Senegalese Football Federation is expected to appeal. The initial CAF ruling stemmed from a protest filed by the Algerian Football Federation regarding the eligibility of several Senegalese players during the 2021 tournament, which Senegal won by defeating Morocco in the final.
Koulibaly, 34, was a cornerstone of that historic Senegalese victory, the nation's first AFCON title. His revelation highlights the unique personal dynamics between players who compete fiercely for their countries but share daily club life. The situation underscores the growing influence and interconnected world of Saudi Arabian football, where many African stars now ply their trade.
The final resolution from CAS will have significant implications for the legacies of both sets of players. For now, Koulibaly's account provides a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into how major off-pitch footballing news travels through the game's intimate professional networks.
