“Let’s put an end to these ego battles, which only serve to divide us,” Kalidou Koulibaly speaks out

The captain of the Lions of Teranga calls for unity following the statement made by the president of the Senegalese Football Federation.

Senegalese football has been in crisis since the Lions of Teranga’s participation in the 2026 World Cup. Several scandals have marred the Senegalese national team’s campaign. But the statement by the Federation’s president on Monday 13 July has further heightened tensions.

In the wake of this statement, Kalidou Koulibaly broke his silence and called for an end to the divisions rocking Senegalese football. The captain of the Lions of Teranga lamented the image projected by the various stakeholders in Senegalese football.

“Are we really obliged to make such fools of ourselves on the world stage? Let’s put an end to these ego battles that only serve to divide us. Let’s not squander years of hard work, sacrifice and progress.

Let’s come to our senses and make the right choices, in the interests of Senegalese football. Let’s do this so that our younger brothers can continue to inspire the dreams of an entire nation. There are many to blame. It is up to each of us to take responsibility, with clarity and humility. Because today, it is not just our football that is suffering, but also Senegal’s image.

If we continue down this path, we will not be helping our football to progress… we will be causing it to regress.”