By Kazeem Ajibola Shoyebo
Senegal full-back Ismail Jakobs has raised troubling questions about the health of three of his teammates in the build-up to the Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco, suggesting that their sudden illnesses on match day were more than a coincidence.
Senegal clinched the continental title with a 1-0 win over hosts Morocco in Rabat on 18 January 2026, but the match was marred by controversy, chaotic scenes and disputes over officiating. Beyond the pitch turmoil, reports have surfaced that several players suffered unexplained health issues before and during the final. According to Jakobs, the circumstances were highly unusual and raised suspicions within the Senegal camp.
“I can’t say for sure what happened, because we ourselves don’t know the whole truth,” Jakobs told media after the match. “But personally, I suspect that three of our players were poisoned, and it wasn’t just ordinary food poisoning or a minor incident. These three players were in very serious condition. It was really, really scary.”
Jakobs described the frightening situation as involving Krépin Diatta, Ousseynou Niang and Pape Matar Sarr, all of whom experienced severe symptoms in the hours surrounding the final. Diatta reportedly fell ill before the warm-up and was unable to participate in the match, Niang showed symptoms during the warm-up, and Sarr’s condition worsened at halftime.
“I’m not accusing anyone, but what happened certainly wasn’t a coincidence,” Jakobs said, underscoring the level of concern among the squad.
Published reports indicate that Diatta was hospitalized with intense pain and weakness before being substituted, and that tests conducted did not reveal a clear cause, leaving his status and that of his colleagues uncertain even days after the game.
The Senegalese Football Federation had already lodged official complaints ahead of the final over several issues related to preparation and conditions, including security, accommodation, training arrangements and ticket allocations for fans. These disputes heightened tensions in the lead-up to the title match.
Alongside the health concerns, the final itself saw intense controversy over officiating, including disallowed goals and disputed decisions. Senegal temporarily walked off the pitch in protest during the match before eventually returning and securing victory in extra time.
As yet, there has been no official statement from tournament authorities or the Moroccan organising committee responding to Jakobs’ specific accusations. The Confederation of African Football and medical officials have not released findings on the sudden health issues experienced by the Senegal players.
The unfolding situation adds a complex and sensitive chapter to one of the most contentious finals in Africa Cup of Nations history, with the health of key players and fairness of competition now part of broader post-match discussions.
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