CONTENDERS OR CHAMPIONS: SENEGAL AIMS FOR SECOND AFCON TITLE IN MOROCCO
Undefeated in qualification, Senegal heads to AFCON 2025 as a strong contender. Coach Pape Thiaw balances veteran leadership with exciting young talent for a second title.
Senegal heads to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. They have high expectations but also confidence from playing well on the continent's biggest stage.
This is their 18th time at the tournament. After winning in 2021, they have a chance to win a second title in just three tries. That win changed how the nation views its soccer team. Now, the Teranga Lions see AFCON as a place where they are contenders and champions who want to stay on top.
To get to Morocco, they showed they can be in charge and consistent. Senegal went undefeated in a group with Burkina Faso, Burundi, and Malawi. These teams can cause trouble, but they couldn't stop the Lions from controlling things or staying strong.
They also went undefeated in their 2026 World Cup qualifiers, finishing ahead of a strong DR Congo team. This shows that Senegal doesn't just win; they control the game with structure, skill, and flashes of individual talent.
Head coach Pape Thiaw took over after Aliou Cissé, a national icon, had a long run. Thiaw keeps Senegal’s soccer identity of discipline, strength, and smart tactics. He also brings new ideas and gives young players a chance. He mixes practical choices with expressive attacking play, so Senegal stays strong on defence but can also attack in ways that are hard to predict.
This is made possible by amazing squad depth. The celebrated “Golden Generation” is still key to the team. Sadio Mané can change games with his speed and skill. Edouard Mendy brings calm and confidence as a goalie. Kalidou Koulibaly leads the defence with authority. Idrissa Gueye balances the midfield with experience and hard work. These players have proven themselves in AFCON, the World Cup, and top European leagues.
They are joined by rising stars who give Senegal fresh energy and choices. Nicolas Jackson's sharp movement and finishing improve the attack. Ibrahim Mbaye is athletic and can play many positions. Lamine Camara, one of Africa’s most exciting young midfielders, adds creativity. Together, experienced leaders and young talent give the Lions depth, drive, and many styles of play.
As AFCON 2025 gets closer, Senegal is a favourite because of their momentum, balance, and belief in themselves. They can control games and create winning plays. The Teranga Lions will again be watched closely as they try to win the title.
WILFRIED NANCY: CELTIC BOSS BLOCKS OUT ALL "NOISE" AND CRITICISM AFTER HEARTS LOSS
After the heat following the Hearts' loss, Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy stated he has "blocked everything out," including social media criticism, to focus solely on the team's performance.
Celtic's head coach, Wilfried Nancy, said he tunes out all the noise when making decisions as a manager.
This comes after the Frenchman faced some heat after a 2-1 loss to Heart of Midlothian in his first game with the Glasgow team.
Before the Europa League match against AS Roma, Nancy said he doesn't pay attention to what others think.
When asked if those opinions bother him, he told a press conference, "That's a good question."
I'll be honest.
Every team I've coached—when I decided to become a coach—well, when I had the chance to become a coach, I'd been an assistant for seven years, working with many coaches.
I always told myself that when I became a coach, I'd block everything out. And that's exactly what I did.
He said he's built a wall between himself and any outside opinions, even online criticism.
I've blocked anything on Twitter that mentions my name, the club, or what people are saying.
People can say what they want. It's part of the job, and that's what we prepare for. I'm not here to comment on everything.
The manager explained that ignoring public opinion helps him focus on what he can control to improve how the team plays.
He used an analogy about how everyone has different tastes, like when people have different experiences with the same food.
We could visit a restaurant together, and you might love the food, while I don't.
Get what I mean? You like it, and I don't.
Nancy made his goals clear: he's focused on his players and the club and wants to do his best to give good performances.
He wrapped up by saying, At the end of the day, it's part of the job. I control what I can to be good with my players, my club, and the people I work with and to make sure we have the best chance of winning by playing well.
His team will play AS Roma in the Europa League tomorrow.
PEACE PRIZE SCRUTINY: FIFA FACES FORMAL COMPLAINT ABOUT UNILATERAL DONALD TRUMP AWARD
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is accused of four breaches of the ethics code by FairSquare, including awarding the first FIFA Peace Prize to Donald Trump at the World Cup draw.
After the World Cup draw last week, FIFA is facing a formal complaint about political neutrality. FairSquare, a nonprofit, sent FIFA’s Ethics Committee a detailed letter pointing out four possible violations by FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the event, one of which was giving out the FIFA Peace Prize.
Calls for FIFA to Look Into It
FairSquare's complaint follows the World Cup draw. At the event, the awarding of the first-ever FIFA Peace Prize was part of several mentions of President Donald Trump. FIFA said the award recognised Trump’s work in promoting peace and unity around the world.
FairSquare believes that giving the prize, along with other things that happened during the event, might have gone against FIFA’s policy of being politically neutral. They've requested the ethics committee to look into the decision to create and give out the FIFA Peace Prize and whether it followed FIFA’s rules.
Infantino and Trump
Infantino and Trump have met a few times over the years, which isn't unusual, as FIFA presidents often meet with leaders from different countries. During the draw, Infantino made some comments about Trump.
He said he was surprised by negative comments about Trump. He stated that, regardless of not being American, Trump was elected in the United States, and one should respect the results of a democratic election.
FairSquare's complaint argues that these statements show a political stance, breaking FIFA’s neutrality rules.
FIFA's Ethics Code
FIFA's ethics code says that the organisation should stay neutral when it comes to politics. It specifically says FIFA remains neutral in matters of politics and religion, also requiring everyone bound by the code to remain politically neutral when dealing with government groups.
Infantino has met with Trump a few times, including an invitation to the presidential inauguration and visits to the Oval Office.
Acting Alone
The Peace Prize given to Trump has been questioned, as it seems it was decided on and awarded without talking to senior FIFA officials. High-ranking FIFA officials were unaware of the award before its announcement. The award was revealed on the same day Infantino spoke at an event in the United States.