
Hervé Renard, the 57-year-old French coach, has urged his Tunisian players to show "pride and dignity" before their final World Cup 2026 match against the Netherlands on Thursday in Kansas City. Renard was appointed last week following the dismissal of Sabri Lamouchi after Tunisia's 5-1 defeat to Sweden. Despite acknowledging there are "no magicians in football," Renard's arrival did not prevent a 4-0 loss to Japan, which eliminated the Carthage Eagles. Speaking at a press conference at Arrowhead Stadium, Renard emphasized the need for players to take responsibility and finish the competition strongly, stating, "Football requires pride." He added that even in difficult situations, players must rise to the occasion and maintain dignity. Renard expressed a "feeling of shame towards the Tunisian people" after the Japan match and called for focus on the upcoming game. This marks Renard's third World Cup experience, having previously coached Morocco in 2018 and Saudi Arabia in 2022. His current mission with Tunisia concludes at the end of the World Cup.
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Must ReadKenya is anticipating potential violence during planned protests on Thursday, marking the second anniversary of a deadly crackdown on demonstrations. The government faces accusations of mobilizing "thugs" to incite chaos, despite its stated aim to ensure peaceful events. In June 2024, tens of thousands of young people, primarily from "Generation Z," protested peacefully against tax hikes and corruption. On June 25, 2024, these gatherings in Nairobi turned chaotic when demonstrators stormed Parliament, leading to police firing live ammunition and causing numerous deaths. Kenyan President William Ruto has warned against property destruction and chaos, though his government has previously been accused of using armed "thugs" alongside police during protests. Former Vice President Rigathi Gachagua, now a critic, urged citizens to stay home, claiming the state had organized terror. Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen denied these allegations, accusing opponents of mobilizing criminals and assuring firm police action. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority IPOA reported at least 62 deaths in 2024 and 65 in 2025 during protests. Human rights organizations report higher figures and dozens of disappearances. A coalition of state violence victims called for large, vigilant protests. President Ruto's image has been linked to violence, including past International Criminal Court charges related to the 2007-2008 post-election violence. Although these charges were dropped, many Kenya

SeneNews provided live coverage of the 2026 World Cup group stage match between South Africa and South Korea. The game was scheduled for Thursday, June 25, 2026, at 01:00 Dakar time at Estadio BBVA. The platform offered live scores, team compositions, and a running commentary of the match, including goals, substitutions, cards, and highlights. SeneNews, an independent editorial, uses cookies to offer free access to information and enhance user experience, with options for audience measurement, site performance, and personalized advertising.
Must ReadThe International Monetary Fund IMF announced on Wednesday that it would immediately disburse approximately $833 million to Côte d'Ivoire as part of several aid programs. The IMF's Executive Board approved the disbursement following reviews of three different programs. Abidjan can now borrow about $832.8 million. The IMF commended the Ivorian authorities' ongoing reform efforts and reduction of public debt. Côte d'Ivoire has maintained one of the region's most robust growth rates for nearly fifteen years and has achieved renewed stability after a decade of political-military crisis in the early 2000s. The IMF stated that Côte d'Ivoire's economy remains resilient. The Washington-based organization anticipates a slowdown in growth to 6% in 2026, down from 6.5% in 2025, attributing this to weakening external demand amid the Middle East conflict and increased global uncertainty. Inflation, which had fallen to nearly zero in 2025, has begun to rise and is projected to average 3.3% in 2026, driven by increasing food and energy prices.