Édouard Mendy wins second consecutive Asian Champions League title with Al Ahli SC
via SeneNews1 min read
Senegalese goalkeeper Édouard Mendy and Al Ahli SC secured their second consecutive Asian Champions League title, defeating Machida Zelvia 1-0 in extra time in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The match was tied 0-0 at the end of regular time, with Al Ahli SC playing with ten men from the 68th minute after Zakaria Al Hawsawi's expulsion. Firas Al Bouraikan scored the sole goal. Mendy, who was a starter and captain in the final, was also part of the victorious team in 2025 and was named the competition's best goalkeeper. The 34-year-old Mendy has now won major continental titles on three continents, making him the only Senegalese footballer to achieve this feat. His accolades include the European Champions League with Chelsea FC in 2021 and the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal in 2022 and 2026. Mendy, a former goalkeeper for Stade de Reims and Stade Rennais FC, has been recognized as the best goalkeeper in all the competitions he has won, including the 2021 Champions League, the 2021 AFCON, and at The Best FIFA Football Awards 2022.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by SeneNews.
Must ReadAminata Touré, High Representative of the Head of State, has dismissed concerns about institutional instability in Senegal, despite political changes involving President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. Speaking to Russia Today, Touré asserted that Senegalese institutions are functioning normally, citing timely salary payments, operational hospitals, schools, and universities, and the absence of an institutional crisis. She attributed recent executive changes, including a new government led by a technocratic Prime Minister and a new President of the National Assembly, to the normal functioning of institutions. Touré also rejected the idea of a personal crisis between leaders, emphasizing the stability of Senegal's institutional framework, which she believes was proven during past political tensions, including the 2024 electoral crisis. She stated that the President is not constitutionally required to justify changes to his team and that institutions transcend egos and personal conflicts, referencing the Constitutional Council's role during the contested postponement of the 2024 presidential election as an example of the rule of law. Economically, Touré acknowledged budgetary difficulties, estimating an underestimated public debt of approximately 4,000 billion CFA francs. However, she affirmed that the state continues to meet its commitments, including regular debt payments and social measures like housing allowances for civil servants. Regarding
Must ReadIranian state television reported that an attack on Iran ceased on Wednesday morning following a series of American strikes. These US strikes were conducted in response to an Apache helicopter attack. The state television indicated that the situation is now calm, after several media outlets had previously reported explosions on Iran's southern coast, near the Strait of Hormuz. This development raises questions about escalating regional tensions and the consequences of these military actions.
The Democratic Republic of Congo's national football team was defeated 2-1 by Chile in their last preparatory match before the 2026 World Cup. The game, held behind closed doors in Orléans, France, on Tuesday, followed disruptions due to Ebola concerns. Originally scheduled for La Línea de la Concepción, Spain, the match was relocated after the local mayor prohibited it due to fears surrounding the Ebola epidemic in the Central African nation. Dario Osorio scored for Chile in the 52nd minute, followed by Matías Sepúlveda in the 86th. Joris Kayembe reduced the deficit for the Leopards less than two minutes later, but they could not equalize despite six minutes of added time. The Congolese Football Federation Fecofa stated on its X account that coach Sébastien Desabre's team concluded their preparation with a "richly instructive encounter." The DR Congo, which qualified for the World Cup by beating Jamaica in a playoff, will begin their campaign against Portugal on June 17 in Houston, followed by matches against Colombia and Uzbekistan. For these games in the United States and Mexico, US authorities have mandated a 21-day isolation period for the team before entry. The World Health Organization WHO has issued an international health alert regarding Ebola, with over 500 confirmed cases and dozens of deaths. Congolese football officials emphasize that none of the national team players reside in the country. The DR Congo's last World Cup appearance was in 1974, when the country wa