Heartbroken Premier League star leaves AFCON after tragic death of his father
Nottingham Forest and Senegal star Cheikhou Kouyate has left his country's Africa Cup of Nations squad to return home following the death of his father.
Kouyate, 34, is one of his country's most experienced players with 88 senior caps. The Senegalese Football Federation issued a statement following the news, confirming that the veteran has been allowed to return to Dakar.
The midfielder, who previously played Premier League football for West Ham United and Crystal Palace, was an unused substitute for Senegal's first group game. Aliou Cisse's side claimed a comfortable 3-0 win over 10-man Gambia, with Lamine Camara scoring twice.
"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 the regret and deep pain to inform you of the death of Mr Bangiougou Kouyate, father of Cheikhou Kouyate, member of the Senegal national team," the statement began.
"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.
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"In this painful circumstance, the Senegalese Football Federation presents its most saddened condolences to Cheikhou Kouyate who was also authorized to leave the national team gathering today, to go to the funeral in Dakar."
A number of fans shared messages of support for Kouyate in response to the announcement. "Peace to his soul," wrote one, with another saying "very good decision of the FSF to authorize Cheikhou to accompany his dad to his final resting place".
Share your messages of support for Cheikhou Kouyate in the comments section
(ITV)
His Nottingham Forest teammates also paid tribute to him during their FA Cup replay with Blackpool. After Andrew Omobamidele's opener at Bloomfield Road, the defender held up Kouyate's number 8 shirt with the message "thinking of you, Kouyate".
Kouyate, who made his senior Senegal debut in 2012, was part of his country's squads for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. However, after sustaining an injury in Qatar, he was unable to play a part in his team's elimination at the hands of England.
He made his first AFCON appearance back in 2015, shortly after moving to West Ham from Belgian side Anderlecht. He was also part of his country's squad for the 2021 edition of the tournament, where he scored in a victory over Equatorial Guinea and started the final against Egypt.
After beginning their title defence with three points, Senegal have the chance to take a big step towards top spot in their group with victory over Cameroon on Friday. Their final group game, against Guinea in Yamoussoukro, is scheduled for January 23
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