The Senegal national football team has raised serious concerns about security arrangements, accommodation, training facilities, and ticketing ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, scheduled to take place in Morocco.
The concerns were outlined in a strongly worded communiqué issued on Saturday by the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF). The federation stated that it was compelled to address the issues publicly in the interest of transparency and to protect the national team’s interests as preparations intensify for the final match.
The statement, released by the Secretariat of the Teranga Lions and addressed to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as well as the general public, highlighted what the federation described as multiple organisational lapses.
According to the FSF, the issues raised have the potential to undermine safety, fairness, and the overall integrity of the competition at its most critical stage.
One of the key concerns raised by the federation was related to security during the team’s arrival in Morocco. The FSF decried what it described as inadequate security arrangements, particularly at the Rabat railway station where the Senegalese delegation arrived.
In the communiqué, the federation stated that there was a “clear absence of adequate safety devices” at the point of arrival. It warned that the situation exposed players and officials to overcrowding and potential risks that it said were incompatible with the standards expected of a continental final.
The FSF stressed that such conditions did not reflect the stature of the Africa Cup of Nations final and posed avoidable risks to the delegation. The federation noted that ensuring the safety of players and officials should be a priority at this stage of the tournament.
Accommodation arrangements were also a source of contention. The Senegalese Football Federation revealed that it had to formally protest before acceptable lodging was secured for the team.
According to the statement, the federation lodged an official complaint in writing before the issue was resolved. The FSF confirmed that a five-star hotel was eventually allocated to the team, which it said would guarantee appropriate recovery conditions for the players ahead of the final.
The federation suggested that such standards should have been met without the need for formal protest, especially given the importance of the match and the physical demands placed on players.
Concerns were also raised regarding training facilities. The FSF disclosed that it rejected the training ground proposed by the tournament organisers on the grounds of sporting fairness.
In the communiqué, the federation stated that it had formally notified CAF of its categorical refusal to hold training sessions at the Mohammed VI Complex. The FSF explained that the facility serves as the base camp of Senegal’s opponents in the final, a situation it said raised concerns about competitive balance.
The federation further disclosed that, at the time the statement was issued, Senegal had not yet received official notification of an alternative training site for the team.
Ticketing arrangements for the final also came under criticism. The FSF lamented limited access to VIP and VVIP tickets, describing the allocation as inadequate compared to previous stages of the tournament.
According to the federation, the official endowment for Senegal was only two VVIP tickets. It noted that, unlike during the semi-final, there was no access to additional VIP or VVIP ticket categories for the final.
While confirming that it purchased the maximum number of tickets authorised by CAF, the federation said the allocation remained insufficient. Senegal reportedly acquired 300 Category 1 tickets, 850 Category 2 tickets and 1,700 Category 3 tickets, but stressed that demand far exceeded supply.
The FSF concluded its statement by calling on CAF and the Local Organising Committee to take immediate corrective action. It urged the organisers to uphold the principles of fair play, equal treatment and safety, which it described as essential to the success of the tournament.
Senegal is aiming to secure another continental title when it competes in the AFCON 2025 final. The Teranga Lions booked their place in the final after defeating Egypt in the semi-final on Wednesday, and they will now turn their attention to the decisive match amid the concerns raised.
