The defender from Senegal’s national team has departed from the AFCON squad due to a family tragedy

Senegal’s national team defender Cheikhou Kouyaté has left the Teranga Lions’ camp during the Africa Cup of Nations following the tragic death of his father on Tuesday, January 16. It is currently uncertain whether the vice-captain of the Teranga Lions will return for the team’s upcoming match. The Senegal Football Federation has expressed heartfelt condolences to Kouyaté and his family.

“The president of the Senegalese Football Federation, Mr. Augustin Senghor, the members of the executive committee, the coach of the national football team, Mr. Aliou Cisse, the players of the national football team, and the football family deeply regret and feel the pain to inform you of the death of Mr. Bangiougou Kouyate, father of Cheikhou Kouyate, a member of the Senegal national team.”

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“In this painful circumstance, the Senegalese Football Federation presents its most saddened condolences to Cheikhou Kouyate, who was also authorized to leave the national team gathering today to attend the funeral in Dakar,” their statement read.

Senegal initiated their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a commanding victory over Gambia (3:0). On January 19, the Teranga Lions are scheduled to face Cameroon.