The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has officially raised serious concerns over what it described as inadequate organisational arrangements ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat, Morocco.
In a statement issued in the early hours of Saturday morning, the federation criticised several aspects of the team’s treatment following their arrival in the Moroccan capital, including security lapses, accommodation challenges, training facility issues, and what it termed an unfair ticket allocation for Senegalese supporters.
According to the FSF, the Senegal national team travelled by train from Tangier to Rabat on Friday in preparation for the highly anticipated continental final. However, upon arrival, the delegation encountered what the federation described as a clear lack of adequate security measures.
The statement noted that the absence of proper security exposed players and technical officials to overcrowding and unnecessary risks, conditions the federation said were incompatible with the standards expected of a competition of such magnitude.
“This deficiency exposed the players and technical staff to overcrowding and risks incompatible with the standards of a competition of this magnitude and the prestige of a continental final,” the federation said.
The FSF further revealed that the team faced challenges securing suitable hotel accommodation after reaching Rabat. According to the statement, the federation had to submit a formal written complaint before acceptable lodging arrangements were finally provided.
While the federation did not disclose details about the initial accommodation offered to the team, it stressed that the situation caused avoidable tension and distraction at a critical stage of the tournament.
In addition to the accommodation concerns, the Senegalese FA also objected to the proposed training arrangements. The federation said it formally notified the Confederation of African Football (CAF) of its categorical refusal to hold training sessions at the Mohammed VI Football Complex.
The facility has served as Morocco’s training base throughout the tournament and is also scheduled to host the Moroccan team’s final training session ahead of the match.
The FSF argued that using the same training centre as the host nation raises fundamental questions about sporting fairness and equal treatment.
“The federation raises a question of sporting fairness,” the statement read, adding that as of Saturday morning, Senegal had still not been officially informed of an alternative training venue.
This uncertainty was reflected in the official media activities agenda shared with journalists on Friday, where the location of Senegal’s final training session was still listed as “to be confirmed.”
Ticket allocation for supporters has emerged as another major point of contention. The federation disclosed that it was able to secure only 2,850 tickets for Senegalese fans, in line with the maximum number authorised by CAF.
However, the FSF described the figure as insufficient considering the high demand from supporters eager to witness the final.
“The allocation is insufficient given the demand,” the federation said, adding that it “deplores the imposed restrictions, which penalize the Senegalese public.”
The final will be staged at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, which has a seating capacity of approximately 69,500 spectators. Throughout the tournament, Moroccan matches have been played in front of large, vocal home crowds, and the atmosphere is expected to be no different for the final.
With Morocco enjoying massive home support, Senegal fears that the imbalance in ticket distribution could further tilt the environment in favour of the host nation.
In its statement, the FSF called on CAF and the local organising committee to intervene urgently.
It urged both bodies to “immediately take every corrective measure to guarantee respect for the principles of fair play, equal treatment, and security indispensable for the success of this celebration of African football.”
The federation explained that its decision to make the complaints public was driven by transparency and a desire to protect the interests of the Senegalese national team.
The AFCON final represents a historic moment for both nations. Morocco is aiming to end a 50-year wait for its second Africa Cup of Nations title, having last lifted the trophy in 1976.
Senegal, champions of the 2021 edition, are also chasing a second continental crown and hoping to confirm their status as one of Africa’s modern football powerhouses.
The buildup to the final has therefore been intense, with expectations high across the continent. However, the concerns raised by the Senegalese federation have added an unexpected layer of controversy to what was expected to be a celebration of African football unity.
As of Saturday, CAF had not publicly responded to the federation’s statement. Observers across the football community are now watching closely to see whether corrective steps will be taken before kickoff.
The situation has reignited broader conversations around tournament organisation, host responsibilities, and the importance of ensuring equal treatment for all participating teams, especially at the decisive stage of major competitions.
With millions of fans across Africa and beyond set to tune in, stakeholders hope the focus will ultimately return to the football itself rather than off-field disputes.
For Senegal, the priority remains ensuring that players are able to prepare in a secure, fair and professional environment as they chase continental glory once again.
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