AFCON Final: Senegal Raise Alarm Over Security, Hotel, Training, Ticketing

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 in Morocco.

In a strongly worded communiqué issued on Saturday, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) said it was compelled to speak out “for the sake of transparency and defence of the interests of the Senegal national team,” following what it described as multiple lapses during preparations for the final.

The statement, released by the Secretariat of the Teranga Lions and addressed to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the public, highlighted concerns that could undermine safety, fairness and organisation at the tournament’s climax.

The federation decried what it described as inadequate security during the team’s arrival in Morocco, particularly at the Rabat railway station.

“The FSF deplores the clear absence of adequate safety device when the Senegalese delegation arrived at the Rabat railway station,” the communiqué read.

It warned that the situation exposed players and officials “to a promiscuity and risks incompatible with the standards of a competition of this magnitude and the standing of a continental final.”

The FSF also revealed that it had to formally protest before acceptable accommodation was provided for the team.

“Regarding hotel logistics, the FSF informs that an official protest by mail was necessary to win the case,” the statement said.

It added that “a 5-star hotel was finally awarded to the Lions, thus guaranteeing the required recovery conditions.”

On preparations for the final, Senegal rejected the training facility proposed by the organisers, citing concerns over sporting fairness.

“The FSF has officially notified the Confederation of African Football (CAF) of its categorical refusal to hold its training sessions at the Mohammed VI Complex,” the communiqué stated.

According to the federation, the facility serves as “the base camp of the opposing team, which raises a problem of sporting fairness.”

It further disclosed that, as of the time of issuing the statement, Senegal had “not yet received notification from the training site of the Senegal national team.”

Ticketing arrangements also came under criticism, with the federation lamenting limited access to VIP categories.

“The official endowment is only two VVIP tickets,” the FSF said, noting that, unlike the semi-final stage, there was no access to additional VIP and VVIP tickets for the final.

Although Senegal confirmed that it purchased the maximum number of tickets authorised by CAF, 300 Category 1, 850 Category 2 and 1,700 Category 3, it stressed that “these quantities, although fully acquired, remain insufficient in relation to demand.”

The federation concluded by urging CAF and the Local Organising Committee to act swiftly.

“The Senegalese Football Federation calls on the CAF and the Local Organising Committee to take all immediate corrective measures to ensure respect for the principles of Fair Play, equal treatment and safety, essential to the success of this African football festival,” the statement said.

Senegal will be seeking to add another continental crown to their honours when they face their opponents in the AFCON 2025 final, after defeating Egypt in the semi-final on Wednesday.