Heartbroken Nottingham Forest’s hero departs AFCON following his father’s untimely death.
Senegal international Cheikhou Kouyate, a reigning Africa Cup of Nations champion, has been allowed to return to Dakar by his country’s football body.
Cheikhou Kouyate, a Nottingham Forest and Senegal star, has left his country’s Africa Cup of Nations squad to return home after his father’s death.
Kouyate, 34, is one of his country’s most experienced players, having earned 88 senior caps. Following the revelation, the Senegalese Football Federation issued a statement announcing that the veteran will be permitted to return to Dakar.
The midfielder, who previously played Premier League football for West Ham United and Crystal Palace, did not appear in Senegal’s first group game. Aliou Cisse’s side defeated 10-man Gambia 3-0, with Lamine Camara scoring twice.
“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 have the regret and deep pain to inform you of the death of Mr Bangiougou Kouyate, father of Cheikhou Kouyate, member of the Senegal national team,” the statement said.
“His death occurred on Tuesday, January 16 in Dakar. The funeral is scheduled for Wednesday, January 17 at the Khar Yalla mosque, followed by burial at the Musalman Cemetery in Yoff.
“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 go to the funeral in Dakar.”
Following the announcement, a number of supporters expressed their support for Kouyate. “Peace to his soul,” one remarked, while another said “very good decision by the FSF to authorize Cheikhou to accompany his father to his final resting place.”
Kouyate, who made his senior Senegal debut in 2012, was named to his country’s squads for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Unfortunately, because to an injury sustained in Qatar, he was unable to contribute to his team’s elimination by England.
He earned his debut AFCON appearance in 2015, shortly after joining West Ham from Belgian side Anderlecht. He was also a member of his country’s squad for the 2021 tournament, where he scored in a win over Equatorial Guinea and started the final against Egypt.
Senegal, who began their championship defence with three points, has the opportunity to move into first place in their group with a win over Cameroon on Friday. Their final group game, against Guinea at Yamoussoukro, is set for January 23.
