馃嚫馃嚦SenegalWest Africa
Lionel Messi praises Cape Verde's performance after Argentina's narrow victory
via SeneNews2 min read
Argentina secured a difficult 3-2 victory over Cape Verde in extra time, a result that left Lionel Messi with mixed feelings of relief and clear-sightedness. The South American champions faced a disciplined and enterprising Cape Verdean team, requiring significant effort to avoid an early exit from the knockout tournament. Messi acknowledged the match's difficulty, stating, "We knew it would be a very difficult match," as reported by the Argentine media outlet Ol茅. He emphasized the high level of play from Cape Verde, noting their recent track record against strong nations was not by chance. The Argentine captain highlighted the African team's resilience, which long resisted Argentina's attacks. Messi remarked, "It's no coincidence that this team had never lost against Spain or Uruguay. This is a knockout tournament and nothing is ever guaranteed," urging against underestimating opponents based on reputation. Beyond the qualification, Messi recognized his team's shortcomings and the need to improve several aspects of their game. He added, "Even if we tend to underestimate teams based on their reputation, we knew it would absolutely not be easy. I want to congratulate Cape Verde for this fantastic achievement," praising what he considered a remarkable performance. Argentina now prepares to face Egypt in the round of 16. Messi concluded, "The most important thing now is to rest and think about what's next. We need to retain the positive points and correct the negative points, a
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by SeneNews.
Nicolas Jackson, the Senegalese forward, has addressed and denied rumors circulating about his alcohol consumption following Senegal's elimination from the 2026 World Cup. In an Instagram post, Jackson firmly refuted the accusations, stating, "It's false. I don't drink alcohol, I never have. I love this jersey too much and I respect my teammates too much to behave as anything other than a professional." He emphasized his commitment and professionalism, despite the criticism directed at him after the team's early exit from the tournament. Jackson acknowledged the disappointment of supporters but stressed that frustration should not lead to the spread of false information. He concluded his message by affirming his dedication to his career, stating he will continue to work, recover, and return stronger.
Senegalese goalkeeper Mory Diaw has issued an apology to supporters following the elimination of the Lions of Teranga in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. In an emotional message, Diaw acknowledged his share of responsibility for the team's exit, stating, "I am sorry. Sorry for not being able to take you further." He reflected on his childhood dream of representing Senegal on the global stage and recognized the harsh reality of a goalkeeper's role, where a single action can alter a match's outcome. Despite the disappointment, Diaw emphasized that this elimination should not overshadow the team's efforts and sacrifices. He expressed that the pain will linger but affirmed his unwavering love for the national jersey, promising to return with greater determination. Diaw concluded by thanking Senegalese fans for their support through both victories and defeats, looking forward to future challenges with the Lions.
Five people have died in Togo due to floods caused by heavy rains on June 28 and 29, according to a government statement released on Saturday evening. The Gulf of Guinea experienced particularly intense rainfall at the end of June, marking the beginning of the rainy season, which led to severe flooding in Togo, as well as in C么te d'Ivoire, Ghana, and Nigeria. The provisional toll in Togo includes five deaths, significant material damage, and major traffic disruptions. The floods also "strongly disrupted traffic," with many homes, particularly in the capital Lom茅, inundated. Some households were forced to evacuate and seek refuge with neighbors or relatives. The government stated that rescue operations, assistance to affected populations and communities, and securing at-risk areas are underway, along with support measures for affected families and households, in a spirit of national solidarity. Several political parties and civil society organizations have called on residents in unaffected areas to show solidarity with those impacted. The Dynamique pour la majorit茅 du peuple DMP, a coalition of opposition political parties and civil society organizations, criticized the recurring floods in a statement on July 2, emphasizing the urgent need to rethink urbanization and sanitation policies. Beyond Togo, these heavy rains have also caused fatalities in other countries, with 59 deaths reported in C么te d'Ivoire and twelve in Ghana.