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France national team affected by Didier Deschamps' bereavement, says assistant coach Guy Stéphan
via SeneNews2 min read
Guy Stéphan, who will lead the French team against Norway due to head coach Didier Deschamps' bereavement, stated on Thursday that the entire squad is "very affected" by the situation. Deschamps returned to France on Tuesday following the death of his mother, with the funeral scheduled for Friday. Stéphan, the assistant coach, mentioned that he, the staff, and the players are thinking of Didier and his family. He aims to make a difficult situation as normal as possible and to honor the trust Deschamps placed in him. Stéphan previously led the team in a Nations League match in 2022 after the death of Didier Deschamps' father. He also noted that communication with Deschamps is ongoing. Midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni affirmed that the team is "on a mission" after the personal tragedy affecting their coach, aiming to make him proud. The French team, already qualified for the World Cup round of 16, will secure first place in Group I with at least a draw against Norway on Friday in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by SeneNews.
Abass Fall, Mayor of Dakar and Pastef political leader, has commented on the ongoing political dialogue, urging adherence to commitments made to the Senegalese people during the presidential election. In a social media post, Fall stated that "pride is a poor substitute for intelligence" and that "a country cannot be governed with pride." He also expressed regret over the perceived lack of dialogue with leaders within his own party. Fall believes that the commitments outlined in the "Diomaye Président" program should not be renegotiated. He wrote, "We do not dialogue to certify renunciations and reversals. The commitments made to the Senegalese through the Diomaye Président program cannot be subject to dialogue. They must be respected." Fall suggested that if the government's proposed amendments had been accepted, the Minister of Justice would not have needed to call for dialogue. He also encouraged the President to "revisit his positions" from when he was in the opposition. The Pastef leader concluded by stating that "true dialogue takes place in the National Assembly," where laws should be passed in accordance with electoral promises. He used the metaphor, "You cannot go to a restaurant, order a dish called RUPTURE, and not consume it."
Must ReadThe International Monetary Fund IMF concluded its latest mission to Senegal last Friday without finalizing a new financing program. Julie Kozack, Director of the IMF's Communications Department, stated that discussions are ongoing between the two parties. She noted that technical discussions continue, aiming for a shared understanding of Senegal's macroeconomic outlook, financing needs, and the authorities' reform priorities, which are essential conditions for any IMF program. Kozack also addressed reforms undertaken by Senegalese authorities regarding budgetary vulnerabilities, particularly those related to hidden debt. She acknowledged measures already taken, such as successive public debt audits and institutional reforms to unify debt management. However, the IMF believes additional efforts are needed, including potential new audits, one to be conducted by a private international firm, finalization of payment arrears audits, and strengthened controls over budgetary commitments. These steps are considered crucial by the institution to consolidate progress and facilitate the conclusion of ongoing negotiations between Senegal and the IMF.
Ahead of Senegal's match against Iraq, national coach Pape Thiaw stressed the importance of a win to keep their World Cup qualification hopes alive. Thiaw described Iraq as a technically and tactically disciplined team, particularly strong in attack. He stated that the previous loss to Norway should serve as motivation to defeat Iraq and progress to the next round. Thiaw called the upcoming game a "final" for both teams, asserting that Senegal must win to remain in the World Cup. He also urged public support for the national team. All players are available for the match, with the exception of goalkeeper Édouard Mendy.