馃嚫馃嚦SenegalWest Africa
Bara Sapoko Ndiaye discusses his unexpected World Cup selection
via SeneNews3 min read
Eighteen-year-old midfielder Bara Sapoko Ndiaye, who plays for Bayern, was a surprise inclusion in coach Pape Thiaw's 26-player squad for the 2026 World Cup. Ndiaye learned of his selection unexpectedly, waking up to numerous calls and messages, and discovering he was on the list. He expressed immense pride and gratitude for the opportunity, thanking all Senegalese for their unwavering support and trust. Ndiaye acknowledged joining a group of experienced players, stating he expects to learn more from them than he can contribute, but is determined to serve the team. He praised the welcoming atmosphere within the squad, crediting the senior players for making his integration easy. Ndiaye highlighted his close relationship with teammate Nicolas Jackson, whom he considers a friend and mentor, learning from his experience in professional football. He also addressed Senegalese supporters, commending their motivation and urging them to continue their strong support, emphasizing that the team plays for the entire nation and will proudly represent Senegal to go as far as possible in the tournament.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by SeneNews.
The French national team concluded the 2026 World Cup with a 6-4 loss to England in the third-place match in Miami, leaving the competition under tension. Midfielder Adrien Rabiot expressed his anger following the defeat, criticizing the attitude of some teammates. France was down 4-0 at halftime and, according to Rabiot, the catastrophic start was not just a tactical issue. He stated that he observed "unacceptable behaviors" from certain players during the first half, which he found disappointing given it was the final match of the competition. Rabiot, the team's vice-captain, believes the team failed to regroup after their semi-final elimination by Spain. Despite a second-half resurgence where France scored four goals, he felt the damage was already done, emphasizing that "some behaviors were inadmissible" in the first half. The match also marked Didier Deschamps' final appearance as the French team's coach after fourteen years. Rabiot paid tribute to Deschamps and his staff, including Guy St茅phan, Franck Raviot, and Cyril Moine, for their work. In response to Rabiot's criticisms, Deschamps took responsibility for the errors, stating, "It was I who made a mistake." He acknowledged that the four halftime substitutions reflected his team's difficulties and admitted he "could have made eight" changes, while also suggesting some players could have performed better.
Must ReadMore than 50 Malian soldiers were killed and 24 captured in an attack by Tuareg separatists and jihadists on an army convoy in northern Mali. The convoy was leaving the strategic town of An茅fis, which has seen intense fighting for control in recent weeks, and was en route to Gao. This incident marks one of the deadliest for the Malian army since the conflict began about 15 years ago. The attack was claimed by the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims JNIM, affiliated with Al-Qaeda, and the Azawad Liberation Front FLA. Sources within the Malian army reported that some soldiers were "purely executed" and investigations are underway to understand tactical failures. Russian paramilitaries, who support the Malian army, were also part of the convoy but had already reached Gao at the time of the attack and suffered no casualties. Local officials noted a coordination issue between the Russian forces and the Malian army. Mali has been grappling with a severe security crisis since 2012, fueled by violence from jihadist groups, criminal organizations, and Tuareg independence movements, compounded by an economic crisis. The country has been under military rule since successive coups in 2020 and 2021, with the junta promising to restore security and territorial integrity.
Former FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez has expressed interest in managing a national team, coinciding with the vacant head coach position for Senegal's Lions. The Senegalese Football Federation is currently considering candidates following the departure of Pape Thiaw. Xavi, who is unattached since leaving the Catalan club, recently stated in an interview with RNE Deportes his ambition for an international coaching experience, not ruling out an African national team. He mentioned his desire to participate in a World Cup, Euro, AFCON, or Asian Cup, seeking a solid football project that allows him to work calmly. These comments have fueled speculation about his potential candidacy for the Senegal role, especially given the team's mix of experienced and young talent playing in top European leagues, and their ambition to reclaim the Africa Cup of Nations and perform well in the World Cup.