Niang reveals team towels were stolen during AFCON chaos
The former Senegal international and captain, Mamadou Niang, has launched a scathing attack on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) over the logistical failures at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
Speaking in a viral interview on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, the legendary striker expressed his disgust at the treatment of the defending champions and other top-tier teams. Niang sensationally claimed that the environment had become so disorganized that even the personal effects of world-class players were no longer secure.
The most shocking revelation from the interview involved the Al-Ahli and Senegal goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy. According to Niang, the veteran shot-stopper had a total of six towels stolen from his training kit while the team was preparing for their high-stakes knockout encounter. Niang used this incident to highlight a broader lack of professionalism and security within the tournament’s official facilities, arguing that such petty theft should be unheard of at a continental showpiece of this magnitude.
The “Renewed Hope” for a world-class African football experience has been dampened by these reports of administrative lapses. Niang maintained that while the stadiums in Morocco are top-notch, the basic hospitality and security protocols for the athletes have been “shameful.” He questioned how a governing body of CAF’s stature could oversee a competition where players have to worry about the safety of their training gear while focusing on their performance on the pitch.
Disorganized logistics hurting the image of African football
The criticism from the former Marseille star follows a string of complaints from other participating nations regarding transport delays and poor accommodation standards. Niang argued that these issues are not just “minor inconveniences” but are a direct reflection of a system that does not value the players as the primary assets of the game. He noted that the transition between the 2024 and 2025 editions of the tournament has seen a decline in the “National” pride and organizational efficiency that fans have come to expect.
The striker’s comments have sparked a heated debate across social media, with many fans echoing his sentiments about the “Sanctity of the AFCON.” Critics suggest that the pressure of hosting an expanded tournament has exposed the fragility of the local organizing committee’s planning. Niang insisted that if Africa wants to be taken seriously on the global stage, the “clog in the wheel” of its sports administration must be removed through transparency and accountability.
Players deserve better treatment in the pursuit of glory
Mamadou Niang emphasized that his outburst was not born out of bitterness but a genuine desire to see the “Joy-Giver” of African football treated with the respect it deserves. He reminded stakeholders that many of the players at this tournament, like Mendy, Sadio Mane, and Kalidou Koulibaly, play at the highest level in Europe and the Middle East. When they return home to represent their “National” colors, they should be met with an environment that fosters excellence, not frustration over stolen towels.
As January 2026 draws to a close and the tournament moves into its final, most critical stages, the pressure is on CAF to address these grievances. There are concerns that if these logistical issues persist, they could distract the teams and affect the quality of play in the final matches. Niang concluded his remarks by calling for an immediate investigation into the security breaches and a formal apology to the Senegalese delegation.
The “Green Passport” of African excellence is at stake, and for many, Niang’s vocal stance is a necessary step toward reform. Whether CAF will implement the needed changes before the trophy is lifted in Casablanca remains to be seen. For now, the story of Mendy’s stolen towels serves as a bizarre and disappointing footnote to an otherwise thrilling football competition.
