A self-styled traditional healer in Mali has been arrested on fraud charges after allegedly collecting large sums of money by promising that the national football team would win the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The man, identified as Mr. Sinayogo, was taken into custody in the Malian capital, Bamako, on Saturday, a day after Mali’s national team was eliminated from the tournament by Senegal.
Mali lost 1–0 in the AFCON quarter-final played in Tangiers last Friday.
According to associates, Sinayogo allegedly collected more than 22 million CFA francs (about €33,500) in donations from supporters, claiming he could spiritually secure Mali’s victory at the tournament.
Following the team’s defeat, an angry crowd reportedly gathered at his residence, prompting police to intervene and remove him for his safety.
Two videographers who visited him confirmed that Sinayogo was being held at the cybercrime division, where he is under investigation for alleged fraud. An official from the unit said “charlatanism is punishable by law in Mali,” adding that arresting him earlier, while national enthusiasm around AFCON was still high, would have been difficult.
Sources close to the suspect said Sinayogo was previously known as a political activist before declaring himself a marabout shortly before the tournament and rapidly amassing money from football fans.
Mali’s AFCON hopes ended after recalled forward Iliman Ndiaye scored the decisive goal for Senegal in the first half.
Mali’s challenge was further weakened when captain Yves Bissouma was sent off just before halftime after receiving a second yellow card.
Senegal, the 2022 AFCON champions, advanced to the semi-finals, where they will face either Ivory Coast or Egypt.
Despite the defeat, Mali coach Tom Saintfiet praised his players’ efforts throughout the tournament, describing their performance as courageous despite playing much of the match with 10 men.
The arrest has sparked widespread debate in Mali over the exploitation of football passion and the use of superstition for financial gain during major sporting events.