Senegal ‘concerns’ over treatment before Afcon final

After visiting Morocco for Sunday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has expressed “serious concerns” about the national team’s security.

Senegal, who won the trophy in 2022 when they face hosts Morocco, are aiming to win the competition for the second time.

After arriving in the capital on Friday by train, the players were confronted by fans who were trying to take selfies and forced to make their way to the team bus.

The FSF also expressed concern over the hotel, the volume of supporters’ tickets, and the fact that they were given a training pitch at the Morocco team’s base.

Players and staff were “at risk,” according to the FSF.

Senegal manager Pape Thiaw remarked, “What happened yesterday was not normal.”

Anything could have happened, given the number there, they said. My players were in danger, I imagine.

Patrice Motsepe, president of the Confederation of African Football, stated that Senegal’s governing body had a “duty” to ensure that its federation receives all the support and encouragement they needed.

Thiaw expressed hope that Sunday’s final, which will start at 19:00 GMT, will not be Sadio Mane’s final appearance at the tournament.

Mane, who scored the winner in the semi-finals on Wednesday, declared he would not play at Afcon once more.

Mane has the most goals in 123 appearances, making it the all-time top scorer for Senegal.

I believe he made his decision in the midst of controversy, and I, the national team’s coach, do not at all concur, Thiaw said.

He has no authority to make his own decisions. They want to see him continue, but there are other people who are also in his path.

“We want to keep him as long as possible,” he said.