Tottenham ace rushed to hospital as three team-mates fall in poor health throughout AFCON closing
A Tottenham star was rushed to hospital along with two of his team-mates after falling ill during the chaotic AFCON final – as one concerned team-mate commented ‘a lot happened before the match’
Tottenham midfielder Pape Matar Sarr was rushed to hospital(Image: Visionhaus, Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Tottenham midfielder Pape Matar Sarr was rushed to hospital for medical evaluation after falling ill during Senegal’s AFCON final triumph against Morocco in Rabat.
The 23-year-old began the game as a substitute but is believed to have become unwell at the half-time break. Moments before the interval, Sarr had been instructed to begin his warm-up routine by Senegal’s coaching team following an injury concern for Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara.
However, Camara managed to carry on and it’s believed Sarr subsequently became ill after teammates Krepin Diatta and Ousseynou Niang were forced to pull out of the match during the warm-up.
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Video clips have since emerged showing Diatta doubled over on the turf whilst Niang required physical assistance from Senegal squad members to be escorted back to the changing rooms.
Following the final whistle, Camara verified that all three players had been hospitalised, saying: “They’re in the hospital, but I hope they’re doing well.”
Senegalese publication Taggat also provided an update, revealing: “The three players are doing well, according to the doctor, at Mohammed VI Hospital in Rabat. Ousseynou Niang will return to the hotel. Krepin Diatta and Pape Matar Sarr are still being kept at the hospital for further observations.”
Niang’s club, Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, confirmed that their player has returned to the Senegal squad, announcing: “Ousseynou Niang is an AFCON winner! After extra time, the Lions of Teranga defeated Morocco 1-0 in the final.
“Niang felt unwell before the game and was taken to hospital along with two teammates. It has since been confirmed he is doing well and has rejoined the Senegalese squad.”
Remarkably, Senegal full-back Ismail Jakobs has suggested that it’s not a coincidence that the three players fell ill, telling reporters in the mixed zone: “A lot happened before the match. I think a lot will come out afterwards. It wasn’t just this situation. Plenty happened before the match too. But you’ll find out. A lot happened to Krepin, Ousseynou, and Pape Matar Sarr at halftime.”
Idrissa Gana Gueye also honoured his sick team-mates following the thrilling victory, saying: “This victory is for them; we had that in mind.”
Villarreal midfielder Pape Gueye scored a spectacular winner in extra-time after unprecedented drama in the final moments of the match.
Senegal saw a late goal from Ismaila Sarr disallowed due to an alleged foul on Achraf Hakimi, before Morocco were given a contentious penalty following a VAR review for a foul on Brahim Diaz by Malick Diouf.
The team who would eventually be crowned champions then walked off the pitch in protest against the decision, only to return later under the guidance of their captain, Sadio Mane.
Diaz then took the penalty, but his weak panenka was easily caught by the cool-headed former Chelsea goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy.
