Rabat — The popular narrative of Senegal’s players experiencing a sudden decline in hospitality during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has been debunked by recent footage. Initially, Senegal’s players, including Pape Gueye, described a series of “amazing tea “evenings in “fantastic cups, “suggesting a change in treatment once Morocco was set to face them in the final.
Contrary to this account, footage from Tangier, recorded prior to the final, reveals that the royal tea treatment continued for Senegalese players at their residence. The video shows staff serving tea in the traditional manner described by Gueye, dispelling the notion of a sudden withdrawal of hospitality.
Before the final, Senegal was accommodated at the Fairmont Tazi Palace, a luxury hotel in Tangier, designed for elite — level teams. The luxurious setting, with its full services and privacy, made the claim of a sudden shift to poor treatment seem implausible.
The real controversy of the AFCON final, however, unfolded on the pitch. Senegal’s players walked off the field following a late penalty decision, leading to the match’s interruption and a subsequent legal process. This unprecedented walk-off resulted in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) awarding Morocco a 3-0 win by forfeit.
Based on the available evidence, Morocco’s treatment of Senegal does not support the image of a team that abruptly denied basic hospitality. Senegal’s Teranga Lions remained at their luxury base in Tangier, and their concerns were addressed. The footage confirms that Moroccan hospitality, including the royal tea treatment, remained consistent even after the final pairing was known.
Source: moroccoworldnews
