🇸🇳SenegalWest Africa
Senegal loses to United States 3-2 in friendly match ahead of 2026 World Cup
via SeneNews7 min read
Senegal was defeated by the United States with a score of 3-2 in a friendly match held at Bank of America Stadium, as part of their preparation for the 2026 World Cup. The match saw the United States take an early lead with goals from Sergiño Dest in the 6th minute and Christian Pulisic in the 21st minute. Senegal, despite falling behind, gradually improved their offensive play. Sadio Mané scored for Senegal in the 43rd minute, reducing the deficit to 2-1 before halftime. In the second half, Sadio Mané equalized for Senegal in the 52nd minute, bringing the score to 2-2. However, the United States regained the lead in the 62nd minute with a goal from Folarin Balogun, making it 3-2. Despite Senegal's continued efforts and several substitutions, they were unable to score again. The match highlighted Senegal's ability to react but also exposed costly defensive errors.
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.
Senegal's captain, Sadio Mané, scored a crucial goal against the United States, bringing the score to 2-1 and reigniting his team's chances in the match. The goal came after Krépin Diatta recovered the ball and combined with Habib Diarra, who then delivered a precise pass to Mané. Mané's controlled shot beat goalkeeper Matt Turner, rewarding Senegal's efforts and their renewed dominance in the first half.
Sadio Mané scored a crucial equalizer for Senegal against the United States, bringing the score to 2-2 in Charlotte. The decisive play, initiated by Nicolas Jackson, revitalized Senegal's performance in the second half. Jackson's strong pressure on the American defense led to him recovering the ball and setting up Mané, who then found the back of the net despite a disorganized defense and a beaten goalkeeper. This goal leveled the score, completely changing the dynamic of the match.
Senegal's 3-2 defeat to the United States in Charlotte has sparked widespread criticism from supporters, particularly directed at defender Moustapha Mbow. This comes just hours before the final squad list for the 2026 World Cup is due to be announced. Fans on social media have voiced strong objections to Mbow's potential inclusion in the expanded squad, citing his performance in the friendly match as reinforcing existing doubts about his capabilities. The debate centers on a significant decision by coach Pape Thiaw regarding player selection.
Must ReadOusmane Sonko, president of the National Assembly and leader of Pastef-Les Patriotes, has issued a statement detailing the party's ambitions for Senegal's future, ahead of its first ordinary congress on June 6, 2026. Sonko explained that Pastef's creation in 2014 stemmed from a belief that Senegal's challenges were rooted in incomplete national sovereignty. He stated that issues like corruption, unemployment, poverty, and social inequality reflected deeper dependencies inherited from history and maintained by post-colonial mechanisms. Sonko highlighted that the party's political project, outlined in the Patriots' Manifesto, focuses on reclaiming national sovereignty. He recounted his political journey, including his entry into the National Assembly in 2017, which provided a platform to address issues such as natural resource sovereignty, anti-corruption efforts, social justice, and public affairs transparency. Sonko also mentioned his 2018 book, "Solutions for a New Senegal," which presented a vision for national transformation. He views the 2019 presidential election as marking the emergence of a new political force and considers the popular mobilizations between 2021 and 2024 as a historical turning point that strengthened the movement despite arrests, the dissolution of Pastef, and restrictions on public freedoms. Sonko sees the 2024 electoral victory as the democratic culmination of a long political and popular maturation process. He emphasized that the upcoming congress