A tense atmosphere surrounds the Africa Cup of Nations final, as Senegal voices its concerns over the treatment received in Morocco. The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has raised serious alarms, highlighting potential risks to the national team's security.
Senegal, aiming for their second Cup of Nations victory, faced a chaotic welcome in Rabat, Morocco, where they arrived for the final against the host nation. Players were besieged by fans eager for selfies, creating a chaotic scene as they made their way to the team bus after a train journey on Friday.
In a statement, the FSF expressed dissatisfaction with various aspects of their experience, including the hotel accommodations, the allocation of tickets for their supporters, and even the training facilities offered. They emphasized a "lack of adequate security" that put players and staff in potential danger.
"What transpired yesterday was far from ordinary," said Senegal manager Pape Thiaw. "With the sheer number of people there, any mishap could have led to serious consequences. My players' safety was at risk."
Thiaw further expressed his hope that Sunday's final, scheduled for 19:00 GMT, would not mark Sadio Mane's last appearance at the tournament. Following Senegal's semi-final victory over Egypt, Mane, the match-winner, declared to reporters that he would not participate in Afcon again.
Mane, Senegal's all-time top scorer with 52 goals in 123 appearances, has sparked debate with his decision. Thiaw believes Mane's choice was impulsive, stating, "I think he made his decision in the heat of the moment, but the country and I, as the national team coach, strongly disagree."
"His decision is not solely his to make. There's an entire nation behind him, and they want to see him continue. We'd like to keep him as long as possible."
As the tournament progresses, the 2027 Afcon will be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, where Al-Nassr forward Mane will be 34. This edition promises to be a memorable one, with Mane's future at the forefront of discussions.
What are your thoughts on Mane's potential retirement from Afcon? Do you think the security concerns raised by Senegal are valid? Join the conversation and share your opinions in the comments!
