馃嚫馃嚦SenegalWest Africa
Senegalese Hajj pilgrims begin departures with new organizational improvements
via SeneNews1 min read
The first flight of Senegalese pilgrims for the Hajj is scheduled for Friday, May 8, 2026, initiating departures that will continue until May 18. Approximately 11,000 pilgrims, managed by private tour operators, are part of the 12,860 quota allocated to Senegal. General Mamadou Gaye, the general delegate for pilgrimage to the holy sites of Islam, announced enhanced health measures, including a team of 82 doctors across various specialties to support pilgrims throughout their journey. This year introduces several organizational innovations, including about fifteen reforms aimed at modernizing pilgrimage governance. These reforms include pre-financing through the Islamic Bank to cover accommodation, catering, and transport costs in advance, and the establishment of six regional hubs in Senegal to streamline administrative and logistical processes for pilgrims. General Mamadou Gaye stated that these reforms are expected to significantly improve the travel and stay experience for Senegalese pilgrims in Mecca.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by SeneNews.
Ahead of a crucial 2026 World Cup match against Norway, a statistic highlights Senegal's recurring difficulties when conceding the first goal. Between 2019 and 2026, the Lions played 20 matches where they fell behind, winning only five of them. Fifteen matches resulted in losses or draws, indicating a 75% non-winning rate in such scenarios. This trend was evident in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, where Senegal lost twice to Algeria after conceding first. Similar struggles were observed against Morocco, the Netherlands, England, Brazil, the United States, and France. However, under the leadership of Pape Thiaw, the team has shown some positive responses, notably overturning deficits against England and the Democratic Republic of Congo. These recent results contrast with previous years when comebacks were rare. The statistics suggest that the ability to react after falling behind remains a major challenge for the Senegalese national team. Against Norway, the Lions will aim not only for a positive result but also to demonstrate their capacity to respond during difficult periods of a match, an aspect that has often impacted their performance in recent years.
Senegal faces a challenging situation in the 2026 World Cup, needing a victory against Iraq to keep their qualification hopes alive. Currently, Senegal is in third place in Group I with zero points, tied with Iraq, and significantly behind France and Norway, who each have six points. France leads with a goal difference of +5, followed by Norway with +4. Senegal has a goal difference of -3, while Iraq has -6. To qualify for the round of 16, Senegal must win their match against Iraq. A win would give them three points, which is the minimum requirement to potentially advance as one of the best third-placed teams. However, three points are often insufficient in this expanded tournament format, as other third-placed teams in different groups might achieve higher totals. Therefore, Senegal not only needs to win but also to secure the largest possible goal difference against Iraq to improve their standing. They will also need favorable results from other groups to progress.
Following Senegal's defeat to Norway in the 2026 World Cup, supporters have expressed widespread indignation and anger, primarily blaming coach Pape Thiaw and captain Kalidou Koulibaly. Critics on social media platforms, including X, have pointed to tactical errors and disappointing individual performances. Coach Thiaw is heavily criticized for his management and tactical choices, with some supporters suggesting his decisions "ruined our World Cup." Kalidou Koulibaly, the team captain, also faces strong accusations, with some fans attributing his performance to a majority of the goals conceded. Comments on social media describe him as an "assassin" and question his commitment. The criticism extends beyond individuals to the team's overall disorganization and perceived lack of control by the technical staff, with some suggesting certain players have undue influence on team selections. The public's frustration highlights a growing disconnect between expectations and the team's performance, putting Senegal in a difficult position in the World Cup.