Sometimes, the pursuit of a better life can come at a high price. In Cheikh Touré’s case, his quest for a better future and his dream came at the cost of his life in Ghana. For now, the Senegalese government is taking steps to repatriate his body. However, Cheikh was not alone; two of his fellow citizens were also trapped but were eventually rescued. 

An increasing number of young people are nurturing the ambition to become the next Sadio Mané, Kalidou Koulibaly or Edouard Mendy. However, realising this childhood dream often involves taking tests far from home. What was supposed to be a routine test in Morocco, for example, turned into an impromptu trip. Scenes that were once associated with irregular migration are increasingly being acted out in the world of sport. The latest tragedy concerns Cheikh Touré, a young man who died in tragic circumstances in Ghana. Cheikh Touré was allegedly the victim of a group of individuals with malicious intent who led him to believe that he could try out for a professional club.

Ultimately, this trip turned into a kidnapping. The kidnappers then demanded a ransom from his family, but they were unable to raise the requested sum. When they failed, the kidnappers allegedly took his life.

A State affair

Given the seriousness of the situation, the now infamous Cheikh Touré case quickly gained national significance. While Accra took the lead in trying to resolve the matter locally, Dakar immediately sprang into action. According to a statement from the Senegalese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “’Two embassy officials will be sent to Kumasi on Sunday, 19 October 2025, to assist the local authorities with the administrative and legal procedures required to prepare for the repatriation of the remains to Senegal, in conjunction with the family, as soon as the necessary authorisations have been obtained”. Echoing the Foreign Affairs Department, Ghana’s Ministry of Sports has not remained indifferent to this tragedy that has shaken the entire nation. Looking back on this nightmare, we must be cautious. This tragedy, which occurred after he was allegedly deceived by fake recruiters offering a supposed trial in Morocco before he fell victim to a trafficking network in Ghana, reminds us of the need for increased vigilance on the part of everyone.

Momo and Bamba: hope lives on!

Since this affair began, it has also emerged that Bamba and Momo, who have not been heard from since, are in the hands of kidnappers. The same modus operandi was used here, too: the kidnappers demanded a ransom in exchange for sparing their lives. However, unlike Cheikh Touré, they were more fortunate as they were eventually released. The Ministry of African Integration, Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad confirmed their release on Friday. In a statement, the department said: “As part of the follow-up to the case relating to the tragic death of Mr Cheikh Touré in Kumasi, Ghana, the two compatriots who were detained at the same time as him, Mr Khadim Ndiaye and Mr Mamadiang Kane, have been released thanks to the sustained efforts of the Senegalese Embassy in Accra, with the diligent and benevolent assistance of the relevant Ghanaian authorities.” The department’s statement, headed by Cheikh Niang, provided further reassurance by recounting the journey taken by the two citizens: ‘After their release, the two young compatriots were taken to the border between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, before continuing on to Mali. They arrived safely at the Senegalese Embassy in Bamako on 22 October 2025. There, they received appropriate care while awaiting repatriation. They arrived in Dakar this evening, where they were welcomed and assisted by a team from the MIAAESE and the National Police, who helped them with the necessary formalities.”

Not all that glitters…

This story reminds us that, however appealing the prospect may be, we must protect these innocent young people, who are increasingly becoming victims of ‘road bandits’. Kidnappers exploit even the slightest flaw. In this case, the Ministry of Sport’s appeal was particularly timely. Khady Diène Gaye urges clubs, academies, coaches and parents to exercise extreme caution when presented with unverified offers of trials or transfers abroad. She also urges young athletes to always go through official channels and check with the sporting authorities before travelling. This case should be used as an opportunity to identify and, if necessary, formalise the agencies that transport talent abroad. 

It should be noted that finding a lasting solution to irregular migration largely depends on addressing the problem at its source by identifying and dismantling the networks organising these deceptive trips. Combined with greater awareness among parents, sports authorities and young athletes, this effort is essential to prevent any new forms of exploitation.