Senegal grieves as teenage goalkeeper killed in football trafficking scheme

A tragic incident has rocked Senegalese football following the death of 18-year-old goalkeeper Cheikh Touré, who was reportedly kidnapped and killed in Ghana after being lured by fake football scouts.

The Senegalese Ministry of African Integration and Foreign Affairs confirmed the heartbreaking news, stating that Touré had travelled to Ghana under the false promise of participating in professional club trials, only to fall victim to a fraudulent scheme, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

"The young footballer was deceived by fraudsters posing as football scouts," the ministry said in a statement. "They kidnapped him and demanded a ransom from his family. Tragically, when the family couldn't meet the demands, the kidnappers ended his life."

According to officials, Touré was lured by individuals who promised him opportunities abroad — a growing tactic among traffickers who prey on the hopes of aspiring athletes across Africa. Upon his arrival in Ghana, he was abducted, and his captors demanded ransom payments from his family in Senegal.

In the wake of the incident, the ministry has issued a stark warning to the footballing community: “Clubs, academies, coaches, and parents [must] exercise extreme caution regarding unverified offers of trials or transfers abroad.”

Authorities in both Ghana and Senegal are now cooperating in a joint investigation aimed at identifying and prosecuting those responsible.

Touré’s death has sparked widespread grief and outrage, both in Senegal and internationally, highlighting the urgent need to address the growing threat of football trafficking. Advocates are calling for stronger safeguards and more robust vetting processes to protect young athletes from exploitation.

By Vafa Guliyeva