Ibrahim Mbaye targets World Cup title with Senegal
via SeneNews1 min read
Paris Saint-Germain forward Ibrahim Mbaye has declared Senegal's ambition to win the World Cup, emphasizing total commitment in their final preparation match against Saudi Arabia. Mbaye, 18, is set to play in his first World Cup, having recently achieved success with his club. Former African Player of the Year El Hadji Diouf stressed the importance of teamwork for Mbaye. The Lions of Senegal, coached by Pape Thiaw, will face Saudi Arabia in San Antonio, Texas, following a 3-2 loss to the United States. This match is their last warm-up before their tournament opener on June 18 against France.
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.
The Senegalese Wrestling Federation FSL has sanctioned wrestler Omar Kane, known as Reug Reug, following the broadcast of a disturbing video on social media. The official document, signed by FSL President Ibrahima Sène, states that during a wrestling gala on June 7, 2026, a video transmitted by Reug Reug's supervisor showed him drowning two live kittens and then throwing them to the ground as part of a mystical preparation. The FSL deemed these actions contrary to the values of Senegalese wrestling and damaging to the sport's national and international image. The Federation emphasized that cats, as protected domestic animals, should not be subjected to cruelty. After an hearing where Reug Reug admitted the facts and expressed regret and apologies, the FSL Executive Bureau decided to impose sanctions due to the severity of the acts. Reug Reug received a six-month suspension, with three months being firm, and a fine of one million CFA francs, representing 10% of his remaining balance. The decision, dated June 8, 2026, was communicated to him the following day and will be immediately implemented by the Federation's relevant bodies.
Must ReadFrench Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot announced that Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich is banned from entering France. This decision stems from Smotrich's active promotion of West Bank annexation and his open advocacy for the "recolonization of Gaza." In addition to Smotrich, four leaders of settler organizations and twenty-one violent settlers are also prohibited from French territory. Barrot stated on X that this policy is unacceptable to the vast majority of the international community, which remains firmly committed to a two-state solution.
Must ReadMore than 1,000 irregular migrants have been rescued off the Mauritanian coast in ten days, indicating a resurgence of migratory flows along the perilous Atlantic route. Thousands of West Africans, primarily young people, have for years attempted irregular migration from their countries' coasts via the dangerous Atlantic route to reach Europe, mainly the Spanish Canary Islands, on overcrowded and often dilapidated boats. Ahmed Moulaye, director of the fight against irregular migration for the Mauritanian coast guard, stated that 1,076 migrants were rescued in Mauritanian waters within ten days, including 194 taken in by the National Navy during assistance to a pirogue on May 31. Moulaye added that at this rate, arrivals could reach unprecedented levels this year. These departures occurred a few days after the Muslim holiday of Tabaski in late May, following a period of several months with fewer sea rescues. Pierre Beziz, a European diplomat in Nouakchott, reported that eight pirogues were subsequently intercepted from neighboring Gambia and Senegal, though the nationalities of their passengers were not specified. All migrants were accommodated in new temporary reception centers for foreigners in Nouakchott and Nouadhibou, funded by the European Union, where they were registered to determine vulnerability or eligibility for international protection. Beziz noted that there were zero arrivals in the Canary Islands during this period, despite expectations of an equal number arriv