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Moussa Niakhaté expresses devastation after Senegal's World Cup elimination
via SeneNews1 min read
Senegalese defender Moussa Niakhaté stated he was "devastated" following Senegal's elimination in the World Cup round of sixteen against Belgium, with a 3-2 score. He believes the Lions "gave everything" despite a cruel scenario where a two-goal lead was squandered at the end of the match. Senegal was eliminated after leading 2-0 with minutes remaining. Niakhaté declared, "We are devastated in the locker room because we gave everything," acknowledging that errors made at the end of the match cost the Lions qualification. He noted the team had high ambitions after their continental triumph and hoped for a significant run in the World Cup. "The group was 100% determined to have an exceptional run. But today, we were not up to par over the four matches of this World Cup," he admitted. However, the player considered the performance against Belgium to be his team's best since the start of the tournament. "Today, we showed a very good image compared to the other matches. That's what allowed us to lead 2-0 against a very good Belgian team. But then, we conceded three goals," he regretted. Addressing Senegalese supporters, Moussa Niakhaté highlighted the pain felt by the players after this elimination. "We cannot imagine the Senegalese in Dakar, in Senegal, and around the world. I think we made them proud in recent months, but today, in all honesty, we disappointed them," he confided. "We are truly disappointed, just like them, and we would have wanted to do much better. The disappoi
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by SeneNews.
Senegalese midfielder Pape Matar Sarr deactivated his Instagram account following Senegal's 3-2 loss to Belgium in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. Senegal, leading 2-0, conceded three goals after Sarr entered the game in the second half, leading to their elimination. Sarr faced significant criticism from supporters on social media after the match. Other Senegalese players, including Lamine Camara, also received strong criticism. Sarr has not publicly commented on the reasons for deactivating his Instagram account.
Must ReadThe French public prosecutor's office announced on Thursday its intention to appeal to the Court of Cassation following the Paris Court of Appeal's refusal to extradite Doro Gaye, a former advisor to former Senegalese President Macky Sall. Gaye is sought in Senegal on charges of fraud amounting to nearly 1.9 million euros. The Court of Appeal declined the extradition, citing insufficient guarantees from Senegalese authorities regarding the European Convention on Human Rights and concerns about the "risk of inhuman and degrading treatment" in detention. Gaye, 47, was arrested in France in December 2024. His defense argues that the extradition request is politically motivated, noting that the complaint against him was filed on the last day of Macky Sall's term. Senegal, which suspended all extraditions to France in December 2025, accusing France of non-cooperation, is also seeking the extradition of media executive Madiambal Diagne from Paris, against whom an international arrest warrant has been issued. In March, the Versailles Court of Appeal issued a "partially favorable" opinion regarding Diagne's extradition request.
Egypt's coach Hossam Hassan stated that it is "not certain" if captain Mohamed Salah will start in the World Cup 2026 round of 16 match against Australia on Friday. Salah, a former Liverpool star winger, sustained a thigh muscle injury in the last group stage match against Iran, which ended in a 1-1 draw, and was substituted. Hassan mentioned that Salah was partially reintegrated into collective training only on Wednesday. While Salah is eager to play, Hassan emphasized he would not take any risks unless Salah is 100% fit. He added that he is not certain Salah will be in the starting lineup. Neither Australia nor Egypt has ever won a knockout stage match in the World Cup. The winner of this match is likely to face Lionel Messi's Argentina, the reigning champions, who are strong favorites in their round of 16 game against Cape Verde.