Senegal Footballer Cheikhou Kouyate Leaves AFCON Squad Following Father’s Death

Senegal international and Premier League player Cheikhou Kouyate has been granted permission to leave the Senegal national football team’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) following the sad news of his father’s passing.

Kouyate’s father, named Bangiougou Kouyate, passed away on Tuesday, and the footballer will be attending his funeral in Dakar, the capital of Senegal, on Wednesday afternoon.

The Senegalese Football Federation expressed their condolences to Kouyate and his family in a statement where they offered their sympathies and support to the national team veteran.

As one of the most experienced players in the Senegal squad, Kouyate, who is a defender and also Vice-Captain of the team, has accumulated a total of 90 caps for his country.

In their opening match of the AFCON against Gambia, the reigning champions, the Lions of Teranga, achieved a convincing 3-0 victory. Kouyate, however, was an unused substitute during the match.

It is currently unclear whether Kouyate will be available for selection in the team’s upcoming group stage game against Cameroon on Friday. The decision will ultimately be made by Senegal’s coach, Aliou Cisse.

This unfortunate loss will undoubtedly have a profound impact on Kouyate, who once described his father as his most committed fan.

The Crystal Palace player mentioned in an interview that his father watched all his games and provided honest feedback, pushing him to constantly improve.

Kouyate’s dedication to making his father proud on the field is evident, and his absence will surely be felt by both his Senegal teammates and fans around the world.