Senegal goalkeeper Mickaela Bottega has been forced to withdraw from the Lionesses of Teranga squad for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco after an administrative delay prevented the completion of her naturalisation in time.
The shot-stopper is one of four players removed from Senegal’s official list for the tournament after their documents were not finalised before the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) registration deadline.
Bottega, who had been training with the national team, left the camp and publicly voiced her disappointment at seeing her WAFCON dream end before a ball is kicked.
Four players ruled ineligible over paperwork
Alongside Bottega, Mariama Deen Toure, Aminata Keita and Mady Soumare have also been deemed ineligible for the competition for the same reason.
All four were part of coach Mame Moussa Cisse’s preparations in the build-up to the tournament and had been hoping to make their mark in Morocco.
However, CAF requires all players to be fully registered on its CMS (Competition Management System) platform by a fixed deadline. The naturalisation procedures for the quartet were not completed in time, meaning they could not be listed for the competition, which kicks off in a few days on Moroccan soil.
Their omission comes as a significant blow to Senegal, who had integrated the players into their tactical plans during the training camp.
‘I had to leave the national team camp’
After departing the squad, Bottega turned to social media to explain her situation and to share her frustration at the way her participation had come to an end.
« J’ai malheureusement du quitter le rassemblement de l’equipe nationale du Senegal durant la preparation de la Coupe d’Afrique. Ma situation est liee a des demarches administratives qui n’ont malheureusement pas pu etre finalisees dans les delais »
The goalkeeper described the early end to her journey with Senegal’s senior team as painful, saying she had invested heavily in the chance to represent the country.
« J’ai encore du mal a realiser que cette belle aventure s’arrete ici, apres tous les efforts, les sacrifices et l’investissement pour porter ce maillot avec fierte »
Her words underline the emotional toll of missing out on a major tournament not through injury or form, but due to incomplete paperwork.
Federation vows to complete naturalisation process
The Senegalese Football Federation has moved to calm the situation, stressing that it has not abandoned the players concerned.
According to the federation, the administrative procedures for all four footballers are still ongoing and their full regularisation remains a clear objective.
Officials hope the players will be eligible for future international fixtures once the naturalisation files are fully processed and recognised by the relevant authorities and by CAF.
WAFCON preparations continue without quartet
Despite the setback, Senegal’s preparations for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations continue under coach Cisse, albeit with a reshaped squad following the late withdrawals.
The Lionesses of Teranga will now head into the Moroccan tournament without Bottega, Toure, Keita and Soumare, relying instead on the remaining group to carry the nation’s hopes in the continental showpiece.
Morocco, as hosts, will open the 2026 WAFCON on home soil, while Senegal aim to make an impact in the early rounds despite being forced into unexpected last-minute changes.
