Tragedy Before Kickoff: Senegal’s Fan Dies Ahead of Mali Clash
5 January 2026
Update
The Senegal national team is gearing up to face Mali on Friday, in the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals held in Morocco.
The Senegalese squad received a shocking blow with the death of a fan of the Lions of Teranga in a road accident on the Rabat-Kenitra corridor last Saturday.
The Senegal Football Federation issued an official statement mourning the fan, Aïda Faye Samb.
The statement said the federation regrets to announce the passing of Aïda Faye Samb, who died in a traffic accident on the Rabat-Kenitra axis on Saturday, January 3.
The announcement added that the deceased was en route to Tangier to support the Senegal team, which was playing the last-16 match of AFCON 2025 against Sudan.
The federation concluded by offering its heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased and to all those connected with Senegalese football.
Senegal reached the quarterfinal after beating Sudan 3-1, while Mali advanced on penalties 3-2 against Tunisia.
Punchline 1: In football, tragedy gets a fair play review—still, the game goes on.
Punchline 2: If grief had a jersey, it would be number 9—always one behind the striker.
