
Assane Diao, playing for Como, scored a crucial goal against Genoa in Serie A on Sunday. The Senegalese forward, starting on the right wing, headed in a goal after a cross from Martin Baturin was poorly cleared by the opposing defense. This goal helped Como extend their lead and is significant for the team in their pursuit of a Champions League spot. The performance comes after a challenging match for Diao against Inter Milan in the Coppa Italia semi-final.
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Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, chairman of the African Union Commission, has issued a message of encouragement to the ten African national teams qualified for the 2026 World Cup. He highlighted the unprecedented level of African representation in the finals, viewing it as a testament to the continuous progress of African football and the talent, resilience, and determination of the continent's players. Youssouf emphasized that this record participation is a source of pride for the entire continent. He also noted the universal reach of the World Cup as an event that brings people together through sport, creating a space where nations unite around a shared passion for football. The chairman underscored the central role of youth in African football's performance, stating that the participating teams represent not only their respective countries but also the aspirations of millions of young Africans. The African Union also paid tribute to the players, coaches, sports officials, and supporters who contributed to the teams' qualification. The organization encouraged the teams to compete with discipline, integrity, and respect for fair play values, expressing hope that their performances will further strengthen Africa's position on the global football stage.
Must ReadFIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed regret over the United States' refusal of Somali referee Omar Artan, who was scheduled to officiate at the 2026 World Cup. Infantino stated, "It's unfortunate what happened to him, but we don't control everything," during a press conference in Mexico. Artan was turned away upon arrival at Miami International Airport, despite claiming to have a valid visa. The US State Department indicated that Artan was "linked to individuals suspected of belonging to terrorist organizations."
Must ReadThe Saint-Louis region has generated 39.6 billion FCFA from oil and gas activities, as reported in the 2024 EITI Report presented during a regional development committee meeting. This development is linked to the progressive start of operations for the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim GTA project, marking Senegal's entry into a new phase of hydrocarbon production. The year 2024 is seen by authorities as a major turning point for the extractive sector's transformation and repositioning within the national economy. Nationally, the extractive sector contributed 455.99 billion FCFA, with Saint-Louis accounting for nearly 8.7% of total revenues, remitting over 38 billion FCFA to the state budget. Thialy Faye, president of the National Committee of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative CN-EITI, highlighted the country's entry into a new economic phase. Al Hassan Sall, Governor of Saint-Louis, affirmed the region's strategic role in gas dynamics but emphasized the need to align this growth with local population needs. The report also noted a persistent weakness in local content, with regional companies conducting 7.2 billion FCFA in transactions with local suppliers compared to 23.8 billion FCFA with foreign partners. Thialy Faye advocated for strengthening local content to enable Saint-Louis companies to secure more markets and create jobs. Currently, the extractive sector generates only 207 jobs in the region, which is considered low given expectations from hydrocarbon exploitatio