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The Senegalese national team have raised a number of concerns relating to security, ticketing, accommodation and training arrangements ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final.
The Teranga Lions booked their place in the AFCON 2025 final after defeating Egypt in Wednesday’s semi-final.
In a statement issued on Saturday, January 17, by the Secretariat of the Senegalese Football Federation to the Confederation of African Football and the public, the team said it was compelled to speak out “in the interest of transparency and the defence of the Senegal national team.” The federation cited several shortcomings observed during preparations for the final.
According to the statement, the federation expressed serious concern over security arrangements upon the team’s arrival in Morocco. It described what it called the absence of an adequate security presence at the Rabat railway station, warning that the situation exposed players and officials to risks and conditions not befitting a continental final.
The federation also voiced dissatisfaction with ticketing arrangements for the final. It said the official allocation included only two VVIP tickets, a sharp contrast to previous stages of the tournament. While confirming that it had purchased the maximum number of tickets permitted by CAF, including 300 Category 1, 850 Category 2 and 1,700 Category 3 tickets, the federation said the allocation remained insufficient to meet demand.
Training arrangements were another point of contention. Senegal rejected plans to hold training sessions at the Mohammed VI Complex, explaining that the facility serves as the base camp of their opponents, which it said raised concerns about sporting fairness. The federation added that it had yet to receive official confirmation of an alternative training venue for the team.
The statement further highlighted accommodation issues, noting that formal protests were required before appropriate lodging was secured. The federation said a five-star hotel was eventually allocated to the team, ensuring suitable conditions for rest and recovery ahead of the final.
The Senegalese Football Federation concluded by calling on CAF and the local organising committee to take immediate corrective steps to uphold principles of fair play, equal treatment and safety, which it described as essential to the success of the tournament.
