French investigative journalist Romain Molina has sparked widespread debate after saying that Senegal's national football team was accompanied by 17 individuals described as practitioners of magic and occult rituals during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) hosted by Morocco.
Speaking in a recent video published on his YouTube channel, Molina said the Senegalese Football Federation included the 17 individuals as part of its delegation to the tournament, adding that the move reflected the continued reliance of some African national teams on traditional spiritual beliefs alongside their sporting preparations.
Molina, who was regarded as having close ties to figures within the Senegalese Football Federation during AFCON 2025 and who published reports critical of Morocco's organization of the tournament, said federation president Abdoulaye Fall invited the practitioners as part of a group of around 120 people selected to attend the competition.
The French journalist's remarks prompted widespread reactions on social media. Some users said the claims highlighted practices that remain present in parts of African football, while others argued they reignited debate over the role of spiritual and non-sporting beliefs in the development of the game across the continent. The Senegalese Football Federation has not publicly responded to Molina's comments.
Senegal's participation in AFCON 2025 had already been marked by controversy. The tournament's final, held on January 18, 2026, at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, ended in unprecedented scenes after the Senegalese team withdrew from the pitch. The closing stages were also marred by crowd disturbances after a number of Senegalese supporters attempted to enter the field, prompting Moroccan security forces to intervene.
Moroccan authorities later arrested 18 Senegalese supporters on suspicion of involvement in the unrest and incitement. In April 2026, the Rabat Court of Appeal upheld the sentences issued against them after judicial proceedings were completed. They were later released under a royal pardon.
Senegal's campaign during AFCON 2025 also drew attention on social media after the team's goalkeeper was seen carrying a towel that some users claimed contained symbols linked to magic or occult practices, particularly during the final against Morocco.
The debate resurfaced during the 2026 FIFA World Cup after videos circulated online showing a Senegalese player reciting inaudible words and making unusual gestures before taking a penalty against Belgium in the Round of 32. Some social media users interpreted the actions as reflecting spiritual beliefs and traditional practices that remain common in some Senegalese football circles, although neither the player nor the Senegalese Football Federation publicly commented on the incident.
