Casablanca – Senegal’s preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations have been overshadowed by fresh controversy after the manager of a Dakar hotel reportedly threatened legal action against the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) over an unpaid bill.
According to Le 360, citing Senegalese newspaper L’Observateur, the dispute involves the Axil Hotel in Dakar, where the Lionesses of Teranga were scheduled to stay for 10 days, from July 13 to 23, as part of their preparations for the continental tournament in Morocco.
However, the delegation reportedly left the hotel after just two nights.
According to the hotel management, the issue is not the shortened stay itself but rather the manner in which the team departed.
Hotel director Gorgui Ndoye told L’Observateur that the delegation left early in the morning without paying for accommodation or meals, despite reservations having been made for the full 10-day period.
Ndoye said the hotel had prepared for the Senegal squad 26 rooms, including 12 single rooms, and purchased food tailored to the players’ dietary requirements.
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He added that the hotel accepted the booking without upfront payment because it trusted the federation.
The director also claimed the hotel suffered financial losses after closing reservations on booking platforms to accommodate the team and purchasing supplies in advance for the training camp.
According to the report, the outstanding bill is estimated at 25 million CFA francs (approximately MAD 407,000).
L’Observateur reported that negotiations between the hotel and the federation failed to produce a settlement. Ndoye said he rejected a proposal to reduce the amount owed by 30%, insisting that it would barely cover the catering costs.
He added that he later learned the delegation had moved to another hotel.
Ndoye told the newspaper he is prepared to take legal action if the matter is not resolved, saying he has already informed the federation and could submit the case to Senegalese authorities, including the gendarmerie or the Criminal Investigations Division.
When contacted by L’Observateur, Walimata Seye, head of women’s football at the FSF and the official who signed the booking order, declined to comment on the matter.
The latest controversy adds to a series of challenges that have surrounded the Senegalese Football Federation in recent months, as the Lionesses prepare to begin their WAFCON campaign in Morocco, where the tournament will run from July 26 to August 16.
