Senegal defender Ismail Jacobs has disclosed that the team was struck by food poisoning ahead of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco.
The Teranga Lions stunned the hosts with a 1-0 victory, sealed by Pape Gueye’s extra-time winner, to lift the trophy after Brahim Diaz had missed from a spot kick in the dying minutes of regulation time.
But Jacobs, speaking in an interview with Sportdigital and reported by Sky Sports, revealed that three Senegal players were affected by a suspected poisoning incident.
Jacobs said the timing and severity of the symptoms suggested the incident was deliberate.
“I cannot say exactly, but my personal opinion is that three of our players have been poisoned,” he said.
“It wasn’t just ordinary food poisoning; three players collapsed together, and it was very, very scary. I don’t want to make accusations, but this certainly wasn’t an accident,” Jacobs added.
The defender also confirmed that the sudden illness explained the absence of key players Krepin Diatta and Ousmane Niang from the starting lineup.
Jacobs added that Niang was forced to return to the dressing room during the warm-up, supported by teammates, while Pape Matar Sarr collapsed during the first half.
All three players were reportedly kept in hospital overnight for observation, underscoring the severity of the situation as Senegal battled through to claim the title.
