 "Senegal accuses AFCON organisers of putting their players 'in danger’, favouring hosts Morocco ahead of final")
Ahead of their highly-anticipated Africa Cup of Nations final against hosts Morocco, Senegal leveled several accusations against the tournament organisers including “clear lack of adequate security measures” for their team.
The ‘Lions of Teranga’, after all, were reportedly mobbed by fans and other locals demanding selfies upon their arrival in Rabat by train, with clips showing them jostling their way to the team bus after arriving at the station.
And in a statement posted on social media, FSF pointed out that the security lapse was one that “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”.
Here’s how the 🇸🇳 Senegalese players were welcomed to Rabat. 😳
— Official54fx (@54footballx) January 17, 2026
They’ve also made reports of:
• Lack Of Security On Arrival In Rabat
• Accommodation Not Up To Standard
• Lack Of Tickets And Access For Senegal Fans with just 2,850 tickets #54footballx #AFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/fASGeFFitZ
Besides the lack of adequate security on arrival, the FSF also protested over the accommodation provided to their contingent and training facilities, which they feel undermines their preparations for the big event.
Senegal were assigned the Mohammed VI complex on the outskirts of the city, and they demanded they train where the ‘Atlas Lions’ were based since the outset of the event.
Senegal slams lack of tickets for traveling fans
The Senegalese federation also expressed unhappiness over the number of tickets being provided to their fans traveling to Rabat for Sunday’s final. The venue that hosts Sunday’s final has a capacity of 69,500, but only 2,850 tickets have been set aside for the ‘away’ team, which the FSF describes as “insufficient given the demand”.
🇸🇳 Senegal release statement ahead of #AFCON2025 final:
— Lorenz Köhler (@Lorenz_KO) January 17, 2026
• Lack Of Security On Arrival In Rabat
• Accomodarion Not Up To Standard
• Official Complaint Led To New Hotel
• Refuse To Train At Morocco Technical Centre
• Have Not Received Feedback On Training Request
• Lack Of… https://t.co/mIijAm9E0H
Both Morocco and Senegal have just one continental title each, having won in 1976 and 2021 respectively, and will be battling it out at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Sunday to join an elite list of nations with multiple AFCON titles.
Senegal defeated Egypt – the most successful team in the tournament’s history with seven titles – 1-0 in a semi-final clash that witnessed former Liverpool teammates Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah face off against each other.
Morocco, the team that had become the first African team to reach the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar more than three years ago defeated three-time champions Nigeria 4-2 on penalties after the two sides finished goalless at the end of extra time.
And it’s not just Senegal that’s unhappy with a perceived bias towards the home team, with the Nigerians unhappy with the referring in their semi-final defeat against the Moroccans.
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