The Senegal national team has expressed strong dissatisfaction with several organisational issues ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final in Morocco, citing security lapses, poor hotel arrangements, questionable training conditions, and inadequate ticket allocations.
In a firm statement released on Saturday, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) said it was compelled to publicly address “multiple shortcomings” in the handling of preparations for the championship match. The communiqué, issued through the Secretariat of the Teranga Lions, was directed to both the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the wider public.
According to the federation, the problems began immediately upon arrival in Morocco.
“The FSF deplores the clear absence of adequate safety device when the Senegalese delegation arrived at the Rabat railway station,” the statement read.
It added that the lack of proper security exposed players and officials to unnecessary risks “incompatible with the standards of a competition of this magnitude and the standing of a continental final.”
The statement also revealed that Senegal had to lodge a formal complaint before appropriate accommodation was secured.
“Regarding hotel logistics, the FSF informs that an official protest by mail was necessary to win the case,” it said.
The team was eventually moved to a 5-star facility “guaranteeing the required recovery conditions.”
Further concerns were raised over training arrangements, with the federation strongly objecting to the proposed training ground.
“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 statement noted.
It argued that the complex is the base camp of the opposing team, creating an unfair advantage. As of the time of the report, Senegal said it had “not yet received notification” of an alternative training venue.
Ticketing allocation also came under scrutiny. According to the FSF, access to VIP and VVIP seats for the final was severely restricted.
“The official endowment is only two VVIP tickets,” the federation said, adding that no additional VIP or VVIP seats were made available, unlike during the semi-final.
Even though Senegal purchased the full ticket allocation allowed—300 Category 1, 850 Category 2, and 1,700 Category 3 tickets—the FSF stressed that demand far exceeded supply.
The federation urged CAF and the Local Organising Committee to take immediate action.
“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 concluded.
Senegal, who defeated Egypt in the semi-final, will be aiming to secure another AFCON title when they contest the final.
