Controversy is raging in Senegal as the new Puma kits for the Lions of Teranga feature only one star, despite the 2025 AFCON title that remains disputed by the Confederation of African Football. The Senegalese Football Federation has sought to calm tensions, citing industrial constraints, while promising two-star jerseys by September.
On Friday, March 20, the FSF unveiled the home and away kits for the 2026 World Cup, inspired by Senegal’s iconic “Cars Rapides,” blending modernity with cultural heritage through subtle patterns. Elegant and high-performance thanks to Puma’s ULTRAWEAVE technology, the jerseys have been praised for their design. However, the badge displays only a single star, commemorating the 2021 AFCON title, while the 2025 triumph—won on the pitch before being overturned after a forfeited match against Morocco—continues to fuel debate.
The FSF responds to fan backlash
Facing outrage on social media, the FSF issued an official statement explaining that production began in August 2025, before the AFCON, making it impossible to immediately add a second star due to deadlines and industrial constraints. “We respect the legitimate attachment of the Senegalese people to their symbols,” the federation stated, offering apologies and announcing a new two-star version to be released in September. This move appears to be damage control under pressure from CAF, whose appeals body confirmed the stripping of the title, exposing Puma to potential legal risks.
This situation revives the wider AFCON 2025 controversy: Senegal national football team, the on-field winners, forfeited their match against Morocco national football team, leading to sanctions. The FSF has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, leaving the official record suspended between popular pride and administrative rulings. By contrast, Morocco does not display stars for its AFCON titles on its jerseys, avoiding such disputes. Supporters, however, see the issue as a symbol of ongoing injustice, reflecting deep emotional ties to two hard-fought continental titles.
Puma, a long-time partner since the 2021 triumph led by Sadio Mané, is relying on these high-tech kits for the World Cup. Yet this missing star has crystallized tensions: a victory in the hearts of Senegalese fans or an officially diminished record? The CAS will soon decide. In the meantime, the Lions will wear their pride—one star or two—on the world stage.