Before a Nottingham Forest game, Senegal's football association has granted international player Cheikhou Kouyate, the current Africa Cup of Nations winner, permission to return to Dakar. Following the passing of his father, Cheikhou Kouyate has been granted permission to travel home. Cheikhou Kouyate, a top player for Nottingham Forest and Senegal, has left his country's Africa Cup of Nations squad to go home after his father passed away. With 88 senior caps, Kouyate, 34, is among the most seasoned players in his nation. Following the announcement, the Senegalese Football Federation released a statement stating that the veteran has been granted permission to return to Dakar.

                                                                                                                        Cheikhou Kouyate

The midfielder, who has experience playing in the Premier League for Crystal Palace and West Ham United, did not enter the game for Senegal's opening group match. The team led by Aliou Cisse defeated the 10-man Gambia 3-0, 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 regret and deep pain to inform you of the death of Mr Bangiougou Kouyate, father of Cheikhou Kouyate, member of the Senegal national team," said the statement.

"He passed away in Dakar on Tuesday, January 16. On Wednesday, January 17, the burial will take place at the Musalman cemetery in Yoff, after the funeral at the Khar Yalla mosque. The Senegalese Football Federation extends its deepest sympathies to Cheikhou Kouyate, who was granted permission to depart from the national team's meeting today to attend the burial in Dakar, in this traumatic situation."