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El Hadji Diouf optimistic about Senegal's World Cup chances despite draw with France
via SeneNews2 min read
Former Senegal captain El Hadji Diouf expressed optimism regarding the national team's performance despite their draw against France in the World Cup. Interviewed by RTS, Diouf praised the team's effort, stating that the result did not fully reflect the balanced nature of the match. He believes that nothing is lost in the group stage, emphasizing that Senegal has the resources to succeed in their upcoming two matches and control their destiny. Diouf urged caution for the crucial match against Norway, stressing the importance of not losing and aiming to advance from the group. He also reiterated his confidence in the coach's decisions regarding team selection, highlighting the players' readiness and determination to please the Senegalese people and all of Africa. Diouf called for unity and support for the Lions of Teranga, encouraging Senegalese fans to back their players. He also noted that the hopes of the African continent largely rest on Senegal, urging continued mobilization behind the team to uphold the colors of the country and Africa.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by SeneNews.
Must ReadThe controversy surrounding the CAN 2025 final between Senegal and Morocco continues, with Younes El Aynaoui, father of Moroccan international Neil El Aynaoui, reigniting the debate. Speaking on RMC, the former tennis player described the final as "a bit chaotic," marked by a long interruption and confusion. He acknowledged Senegal's superiority in decisive moments, stating, "If we remove the last ten minutes, Morocco had a lot of actions. They didn't convert them. Then there was that fantastic goal from the Senegalese player." He also recounted the "interminable stop, the players who left the field, the spectators, the violence." Most notably, Younes El Aynaoui revealed that his son, Neil El Aynaoui, who started in the final, does not consider himself a champion of Africa. According to his father, Neil views the outcome as a motivation to win the next CAN, having "failed in the final."
Gris Bordeaux has shared his analysis and recommendations with Lions coach Pape Thiaw, ahead of Senegal's decisive match against Norway in the 2026 World Cup. Bordeaux believes the match will be difficult and emphasizes the need for Senegal to rely on its collective strength. He stated that to defeat Norway, the right players must be in the right positions. Bordeaux also reviewed player performance, noting that some players were not at their best against France and regretting the lack of timely substitutions from the Senegalese bench. He observed that the team could not maintain its initial rhythm due to high intensity and physical fatigue among some players. Regarding Ismaïla Sarr, Bordeaux praised his qualities but urged him to show more character in major matches, suggesting psychological reinforcement. Finally, Bordeaux recommended better management of playing time for key players like Sadio Mané, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Idrissa Gana Guèye, suggesting they should not play the full 90 minutes. He also advocated for the use of players such as Ibrahim Mbaye and Iliman Ndiaye, while offering encouragement to the Lions of Teranga.
Must ReadIn Koussan, Senegal, administrative expulsions have caused concern among residents, many of whom were declared foreign nationals despite living in the area for generations. What began as an administrative control operation has evolved into a complex situation with human, legal, and political ramifications. Several residents were forcibly removed from Senegalese territory and taken to the Malian border, only to return to their village days later. Families and local populations strongly dispute the classification of these individuals as foreign nationals, asserting they were born, raised, and have lived in Koussan for multiple generations. The operation, conducted last week, proved ineffective as those expelled reportedly found no reception points on the Malian side and chose to return to their ancestral village. This mass return raises questions about the legal basis of the expulsions. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and the Forum du Justiciable, have condemned the actions, citing potential violations of international conventions ratified by Senegal concerning protection against arbitrary expulsions and the right to nationality. The situation has also taken a judicial turn, with the village chief of Koussan reportedly summoned by the Goudiry gendarmerie and threats of legal action against residents who challenged the measure. Me Cire Clédor Ly has reportedly been entrusted with the defense of those affected.