Dakar – The Ministry of African Integration, Foreign Affairs, and Senegalese Living Abroad swiftly moved to frame the official stance following the controversial statement released today by the Senegalese Football Federation, just before the anticipated Africa Cup of Nations final between Senegal and Morocco.
In a clear statement, the Senegalese Foreign Ministry emphasized that the final match should not be reduced to tension or circumstantial calculations, asserting that the relations between Dakar and Rabat are deeper than a football match, grounded in historical, humanitarian, and spiritual foundations that have withstood the test of time.
The ministry urged the Senegalese Football Federation and all associated actors to embody a spirit of responsibility, respect, and sportsmanship, which aligns with the strength of Senegalese-Moroccan relations and preserves the image of African football on the international stage.
The Senegalese Foreign Ministry also expressed satisfaction with the cooperation shown by the Kingdom of Morocco since the commencement of the Africa Cup of Nations, noting that this behavior reflects the depth of partnership and mutual trust between the two countries, and emphasizing that sports should remain a bridge for rapprochement rather than a tool for escalation.
This official stance aims to establish a clear distance between the Senegalese state and any statements or positions that could be interpreted outside the context of sportsmanship, conveying the message that the “CAN” final should be a celebration of African talent and unity, not a test of relations between peoples.
