Senegal coach Pape Thiaw launched a fierce criticism of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations organisers in Morocco, insisting his players were put at risk ahead of the final against the hosts.
He recounted chaotic scenes at a train station, where the Senegal squad suddenly found themselves surrounded by crowds with little security protection.
“What happened yesterday was not normal, a team like Senegal cannot find itself in the middle of the crowds like that,” Thiaw said, stressing that his players’ safety had been compromised. He warned that “Africa’s image is in danger,” arguing that such organisational lapses damage how the continent is viewed and should never happen, especially between “two brother countries.”
Thiaw admitted facing the host nation is never easy but vowed Senegal would give everything, reminding that the final is still “11 players against 11” and will ultimately be decided on the pitch.
He praised Morocco’s World Cup 2022 heroics as a great achievement for African football, yet maintained that “the best team in Africa is Egypt,” noting Senegal had just eliminated them in the semi-finals and are determined to crown their campaign by lifting the trophy.
