AFCON 2023: Cheikhou Kouyate takes a break from Senegal's squad due to family tragedy

This sober news hit the Senegal camp on Tuesday, leading Kouyate to make a swift departure to attend the funeral in Dakar.

Senegal's football federation, in a moving statement, expressed their profound sorrow and support for Kouyate as reported by Daily Mail.

"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 regret and deep pain to inform you of the death of Mr Bangiougou Kouyate, father of Cheikhou Kouyate, member of the Senegal national team," they announced.

They further detailed, "His death occurred this Tuesday, January 16, in Dakar. The funeral is planned for Wednesday, January 17 at the Khar Yalla mosque followed by the burial at the Musalman cemetery in Yoff."

The Federation, acknowledging the gravity of the situation, granted Kouyate immediate leave to be present for his father's last rites.

Kouyate, a revered figure in the Senegalese squad, was part of the team but did not play in their victorious opening match against Gambia, where they triumphed 3-0. 

His leadership as the vice-captain and his 90 caps for the national team underscore his pivotal role and the void his absence will create.

With an uncertain return, Kouyate's participation in Senegal's upcoming match against Cameroon remains in doubt. This personal loss is particularly poignant for Kouyate, who, in a candid moment in 2018, had shared the special bond he shared with his father.

"My dad watches every game I play," Kouyate reminisced. "Every time, if I play well, he’ll say, 'No, no, you played badly,' and every time I play badly, he'll say 'Yeah, you played bad.' But (his criticism) is good, he wants me every time to push myself. 

"He tells my mother, 'If I tell our son he’s playing good, he’ll go and do nothing!'. I like that he pushes me every day to work hard. Everything I do on the field, I want to do my best for my Dad."