🇸🇳SenegalWest Africa
Concerns raised over Iliman Ndiaye's limited playing time with the Senegalese technical staff
via SeneNews2 min read
Questions have arisen regarding the use of Iliman Ndiaye by the Senegalese technical staff following his first two group stage matches in the 2026 World Cup. Ndiaye, considered a key offensive player for several seasons, has played only seven minutes across two games, leading to growing incomprehension among observers. Supporters and analysts are questioning why a player, who has been a regular starter in major competitions and had a convincing season with Everton, has been so underutilized without clear explanations about a potential injury, physical issue, or tactical choice. The team's overall offensive production has also been criticized, with many believing the Lions of Teranga lack creativity in the final third, an area where Ndiaye is known to excel. Some suggest his limited involvement could negatively impact the team's tournament dynamic. This situation adds to existing pressure on the coach's selections, raising concerns about the overall coherence of the team's game plan. Frustration was further fueled by a controversial incident late in a match where a potential handball by David Møller Wolfe was not penalized, despite the action ultimately being stopped for offside. This incident, combined with ongoing debates about tactical choices and referee decisions, has created a turbulent media environment for the Senegalese national team, with Ndiaye's role remaining a central point of discussion.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by SeneNews.
Senegal's coach, Pape Thiaw, has justified his decision to field the same starting eleven against Norway that lost to France, a choice that has drawn criticism from many Senegalese supporters. Speaking at a post-match press conference, Thiaw explained that he maintained confidence in the team that played against France, believing that the errors from the first match had been sufficiently addressed before the second game. He stated, "We worked a lot on the mistakes made against France. I have confidence in my players and I know what they are capable of. In a team, the collective comes first." Thiaw acknowledged that he anticipated questions regarding his decisions, adding, "I knew these kinds of questions would come up. Fortunately, we are not dead yet. We still have one match left." Despite the recent poor performance, the Lions still have a chance to qualify and must perform well in their final group match.
Senegal's national football team, the Lions of Teranga, still harbors hopes of qualifying for the World Cup 2026 round of 16 despite having zero points after two matches. A crucial final match against Iraq is imperative for their qualification chances. An analysis of various groups reveals favorable scenarios that could aid Senegal's progression as one of the eight best third-placed teams. In Group A, the match between South Africa and Czechia could result in one team finishing with a low point total, keeping several nations in contention. Group B presents an even more favorable situation, with the Bosnia and Herzegovina versus Qatar match potentially leading to a very low point tally for one of the competitors, thus maintaining an opening in the third-place rankings. Group E also offers a promising outlook, as Germany is heavily favored against Ecuador, which could leave the South American team with limited points. In Group G, an unlikely defeat for Belgium could impact the overall balance of the third-place standings. Finally, a draw between Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia in Group H would be particularly beneficial for Senegal. While the outcomes of Groups J, K, and L are still being analyzed, a victory against Iraq is essential and could be sufficient for Senegal to advance.
Following Senegal's 3-2 loss to Norway in the 2026 World Cup, Al-Nassr forward Sadio Mané expressed his disappointment but acknowledged Norway's deserved victory. Mané stated that the team was not at its best level, leading to their second defeat in the tournament. Despite the setback, he remains optimistic about Senegal's chances of qualifying for the round of sixteen, emphasizing the need for the team to regroup quickly and prepare for the next match.