🇸🇳SenegalWest Africa
PSG faces Bayern Munich in Champions League semi-final first leg
via SeneNews3 min read
Paris Saint-Germain is set to play Bayern Munich in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final at Parc des Princes. PSG coach Luis Enrique stated his team is ready to face "the best team in Europe," emphasizing their desire to retain their title. This marks PSG's third consecutive European semi-final under Enrique. Bayern Munich, led by coach Vincent Kompany and featuring players like Harry Kane and Michael Olise, presents a significant challenge, having defeated PSG 2-1 in the league phase in November. However, the reigning European champions can draw confidence from their 2-0 victory against Bayern in the Club World Cup quarter-final in July, despite playing with nine men. Harry Kane anticipates an intense match with many one-on-one duels, noting the similar playing styles of both teams. Kompany acknowledged PSG's offensive danger but expressed confidence in his team. Bayern's offensive power this season is notable, with 167 goals in 49 matches across all competitions, including 38 in the Champions League, with Kane, Olise, and Luis Diaz contributing 92 goals. Christoph Freund, sporting director for Bayern, believes collective performance will be crucial, highlighting his players' confidence and energy. PSG also possesses this confidence, having overcome Liverpool two weeks prior with a 2-0 win, showcasing their mental strength and the strong performance of Matveï Safonov and Ousmane Dembélé. Dembélé stressed the need to endure to succeed. PSG plans to rely on their u
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Must ReadSenegal's Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko held a meeting with government members to address significant budgetary constraints, focusing on subsidies across various sectors and tax exemptions. Over the past six years, annual subsidies averaged CFAF 59 billion for trade, CFAF 470 billion for energy, CFAF 86 billion for agriculture, CFAF 131 billion for higher education, and CFAF 12 billion for national education, totaling CFAF 833.5 billion. Prime Minister Sonko expressed his belief that a substantial portion, possibly half, of these subsidies are being captured by unintended beneficiaries. He questioned his ministers on the necessity and appropriate scale of maintaining these subsidies. The discussions also covered the efficiency of public spending and the tax exemption system. A dedicated working committee has been established to further analyze these issues and propose reforms within ten days, aiming for a revised subsidy policy that aligns with Senegal's realities and capabilities. The International Monetary Fund has consistently encouraged Senegal, particularly under former President Macky Sall, to reduce or eliminate certain subsidies, especially in the energy sector, due to their impact on public finances, though such measures could lead to a general increase in prices.
Senegalese defender Nobel Mendy, on loan from Real Betis to Rayo Vallecano, is close to a permanent transfer to the Madrid club. The agreement between the two Spanish teams includes a mandatory purchase clause contingent on playing time: Mendy must play at least 45 minutes in 25 official matches. The central defender has already met this criterion in 21 matches, needing only four more to trigger his automatic transfer. Mendy has progressively integrated into Rayo Vallecano's rotation, capitalizing on his opportunities and earning his coach's trust, becoming a regular defensive option. If the clause is validated, Real Betis is expected to receive approximately three million euros, along with potential bonuses and a percentage on any future resale. After a challenging period in Seville, Nobel Mendy appears to have found a favorable environment in La Liga to revitalize his career.
The Confederation of African Football CAF has released the official schedule for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations AFCON qualifiers, with the final tournament set to take place in East Africa. The preliminary round, involving 12 lower-ranked nations, was played in March 2026 to determine the final teams for the group stage. The main qualification phase will involve 48 nations divided into twelve groups of four teams. The first two matchdays are scheduled for September 21 to October 6, 2026, followed by matchdays three and four from November 9 to 17, 2026. The decisive final two matchdays will be held from March 22 to 30, 2027. Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda are automatically qualified as co-hosts for the final tournament, which will run from June 19 to July 18, 2027. This marks the first time these three East African nations will co-host the competition.
The International Federation of Association Football FIFA is considering increasing the financial prizes and participation contributions for the 48 teams competing in the upcoming World Cup. According to "The Athletic" newspaper, FIFA has confirmed discussions with national federations regarding improved funding for teams. Official adoption of these proposals is expected at the FIFA Council meeting on April 28. Last December, FIFA announced a record prize fund of $727 million, with each participating team set to receive a minimum of $10.5 million and the winner $50 million. Discussions have continued with national federations to finalize the formula before the FIFA Congress on April 30. Media reports indicated that the Union of European Football Associations UEFA had called on FIFA to increase prize money and financial support due to significant costs for participating teams in the tournament held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, including travel, taxes, and organizational expenses. However, internal FIFA sources stated that any potential increase is not due to UEFA pressure, but rather an independent decision based on expected financial revenues from the competition exceeding $11 billion. A FIFA spokesperson confirmed ongoing discussions with national federations to increase financial support for qualified teams and boost football development budgets for the 211 member associations, with further details to be announced.