Senegal Football Federation Raises Security Concerns Ahead of Africa Cup of Nations Final

Senegal has participated in three Africa Cup of Nations finals, securing victory in one and suffering defeat in two.

The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has articulated serious concerns regarding the safety of the national team following their arrival in Rabat, Morocco, for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations final scheduled for Sunday.

Aiming for their second title after winning the tournament in 2022, Senegal will face the host nation, Morocco. Upon arriving in the capital by train on Friday, players were overwhelmed by fans eager for selfies, necessitating that they navigate through the crowd to reach their team bus.

In a formal statement, the FSF expressed dissatisfaction with the hotel accommodations, the allocation of tickets for their supporters, and the provision of a training pitch at the base of the Moroccan team. They emphasized that the “lack of adequate security” left both players and staff exposed to potential risks.

Senegal’s manager, Pape Thiaw, remarked, “What transpired yesterday was abnormal. Considering the crowd size, anything could have occurred that posed a danger to my players. Such incidents should not take place between two brother nations.”

Patrice Motsepe, President of the Confederation of African Football, emphasized that the governing body has an obligation to ensure that Senegal receives all necessary support and encouragement.

Looking forward to the final, Thiaw expressed hopes that it will not mark the last appearance of Sadio Mane in the tournament. Following their semi-final victory against Egypt, where Mane scored the decisive goal, he indicated to reporters that he might not participate in future editions of Afcon.

Mane, who holds the title of Senegal’s all-time leading scorer with 52 goals from 123 appearances, was described by Thiaw as someone whose decision to retire from the tournament was made in the heat of the moment. “The country disagrees with his decision, and as the national team coach, I do as well. His choice is no longer solely his own; he represents a whole nation that wishes for his continued presence. We hope to retain him for as long as possible.”

In related news, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda are set to host the 2027 Afcon, with the specific dates yet to be announced. Mane will celebrate his 35th birthday in April of the following year.