As Senegal braces to defend its African champion title in Ivory Coast, memories linger of a fateful chapter in the Lions’ history—the tumultuous 1986 AFCON. A golden generation, including talents like Jules François Bocandé, Cheikh Seck, and Boubacar Sarr ”Locotte,” faced an unexpected downfall marked by a series of blunders, mystical rituals, and an ill-fated feast of “Ceebu Yapp” before a decisive match against Ivory Coast.
In a gripping journey, Senegal, after 18 years in the football wilderness, found themselves back in the continental elite at the 1986 AFCON.
Dominating the opening matches against Egypt and Mozambique, they entered the third game against Ivory Coast with unwarranted confidence, fueled in part by a sense of unfamiliarity with the complexities of tournament management.
The intoxication of victory against Egypt led to a lack of discipline, as players and managers reveled in euphoria.
Former goalkeeper Cheikh Seck revealed, “After the great feat against Egypt and its 120,000 supporters, euphoria spread throughout the ranks.
We got drunk without having done it on purpose. We did not know how to manage the feat.”
Adding to their missteps, the Lions indulged in a greasy pre-match feast of ‘Ceebu Yapp,’ a traditional rice and meat dish.
The excess oil left the players grappling with discomfort during warm-ups, setting the stage for a disheartening defeat against a revengeful Ivory Coast, eliminating Senegal from the tournament.
Pape Fall, recalling the incident, said, “Already during the warm-up, the excess oil was going up our throats.”
The team’s confusion extended beyond the pitch, as they remained oblivious to the peculiar goal difference rule, which ultimately favored Ivory Coast.
The aftermath was marked by revelations of mystical rituals gone awry.
Players confessed to overindulgence, with Pape Fall stating, “We had taken so much that the water overflowed into the corridors, even threatening to flood the place.”
The consequences of these practices manifested on the field, affecting the players’ physical condition and contributing to their untimely exit.
Reflecting on the ill-fated campaign, Amadou Diop emphasized the team’s lack of awareness regarding tournament rules, stating, “It was back at the hotel that we heard for the first time about the particular goal difference which eliminated us in favor of Ivory Coast. Proof that we knew nothing about the rules of the competition.”
The 1986 AFCON remains a poignant chapter in Senegal’s football history, a stark contrast to the triumphs and glories they would later achieve. As the Lions embark on a new AFCON journey in 2023, the lessons of the past serve as a reminder of the importance of discipline, awareness, and focus in pursuit of continental success.
