Senegal goalkeeper Bottega dropped from WAFCON 2026 squad after CAF paperwork delay

Senegal goalkeeper Mickaela Bottega has been ruled out of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco after an administrative delay meant her registration was not completed in time by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Bottega, who had been part of Senegal’s training camp, is one of four players withdrawn from the Lionesses of Teranga’s official tournament list because their naturalisation procedures were not finalised before CAF’s deadline.

The decision has left the 25-year-old visibly distraught, bringing a premature end to what she described as a “beautiful journey” with Senegal’s national team.

Four players removed over late naturalisation

Alongside Bottega, Mariama Deen Toure, Aminata Keita and Mady Soumare have also been excluded from Senegal’s squad for the continental showpiece.

All four had trained with coach Mame Moussa Cisse’s group in the build-up to the tournament and had been preparing to compete in Morocco, where the finals are due to kick off in the coming days.

However, according to Senegalese football authorities, the quartet could not be registered on CAF’s Competition Management System (CMS) because their nationality change and naturalisation files were not completed before the governing body’s cut-off point.

CAF requires all players’ documentation – including proof of eligibility and, where applicable, naturalisation papers – to be uploaded and validated on its CMS platform by a strict deadline ahead of major competitions. Failure to do so results in players being deemed ineligible, regardless of their sporting readiness.

‘This beautiful adventure stops here’

After leaving the national team camp, Bottega took to her social media accounts to share the emotional impact of the decision.

« J’ai malheureusement du quitter le rassemblement de l’equipe nationale du Senegal durant la preparation de la Coupe d’Afrique. Ma situation est liee a des demarches administratives qui n’ont malheureusement pas pu etre finalisees dans les delais »

The goalkeeper said she was struggling to come to terms with the abrupt end to her dream of representing Senegal on one of African football’s biggest stages.

« J’ai encore du mal a realiser que cette belle aventure s’arrete ici, apres tous les efforts, les sacrifices et l’investissement pour porter ce maillot avec fierte »

Bottega had been hoping to compete for the number one spot and help Senegal build on its growing profile in women’s football. Instead, she will watch the tournament from afar after what she describes as an administrative failure rather than a sporting decision.

Federation vows to complete paperwork

The Senegalese Football Federation has stressed that the administrative work relating to the four players is ongoing, despite their exclusion from the 2026 WAFCON.

Officials say regularising their situation remains a priority, with the aim that Bottega, Toure, Keita and Soumare will be fully eligible for future international competitions once the naturalisation processes are complete.

Their absence will force coach Cisse to rely on alternative options in goal and across the squad when Senegal begin their campaign in Morocco.

The episode highlights continuing challenges for African federations in managing the complex legal and bureaucratic requirements around dual-nationality players and naturalisation, particularly as more footballers with links to European countries opt to represent African nations.

Focus turns to Morocco’s home campaign

The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 will again be staged in Morocco, with the hosts already setting out their programme for the group stage.

While detailed fixtures for Senegal and the full match schedule were not included in the initial communication, Morocco’s plans for the first round have been confirmed domestically, as the North African country looks to capitalise on home support and recent investments in women’s football.

Senegal, meanwhile, must regroup quickly after losing four squad members before a ball has been kicked, and attempt to turn a turbulent build-up into a galvanising moment once the tournament begins.