Senegalese player Kalidou Koulibaly, the Al-Hilal defender, resolved the ongoing debate regarding his relationship with his Moroccan teammate Yassine Bounou, following the repercussions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final crisis.

Koulibaly emphasized in a press statement that his relationship with Bono is very strong, stressing that the African Union's decision to withdraw the title from Senegal did not affect the ties between them.

He explained that Bono was the first to inform him of the decision, noting that he initially thought it was just a joke before confirming its validity through the official statement.

The Senegalese defender added that the atmosphere between them within the team is normal, and even included a sense of humor after the decision, without any noticeable tension.

He pointed out that Bono joked with him about the title shifting to Morocco, emphasizing that their relationship is based on respect and understanding both on and off the field.

Koulibaly also pointed out that he communicated with several figures, including Edouard Mendy and the president of the Senegalese federation, to verify the truth of the decision.

It is noted that the duo joined Al-Hilal in the summer of 2024 and succeeded with the team in winning several championships, most notably the Saudi League and the King's Cup, in addition to two titles in the Super Cup.