Fake prophet promised AFCON glory to Mali, but got handcuffs instead

A self-styled marabout who promised Mali glory at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has seen his magic run out - and his luck with it.

The man, known as Mr Sinayogo, was arrested this weekend on charges of fraud after collecting more than 22 million CFA francs (€33,500) from hopeful fans in exchange for one simple guarantee: that Mali's Eagles would lift the AFCON trophy.

They didn't.

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Mali were knocked out on Friday by Senegal in the quarter-finals, and within hours Sinayogo's spell was well and truly broken. An angry crowd descended on his home, forcing police to step in and escort him away before things got out of hand.

By Saturday, the miracle worker had become a criminal suspect. Sinayogo was arrested and placed in custody at Mali's cybercrime unit, where, as one official dryly noted, "charlatanism is punishable by law." Arresting him earlier, while the national team were still alive in the tournament, would have been tricky "in the heat of the Africa Cup of Nations," the official added.

Sinayogo's rise had been as sudden as his fall. Once known as a political activist, he "proclaimed himself a marabout overnight and made a fortune," according to a social media content creator close to him.

For a while, thousands believed in his online prophecies. They paid, they waited - and when the goals didn't come, neither did the miracles.

What did come was the police.

AFCON 2025 - 1/2 FINALS

Wednesday

18.00: (2.15) Senegal (3.20) Egypt (3.70)

21.00: (3.25) Nigeria (3.25) Morocco (2.30)

***odds are subject to change***