The African Tribune

youth olympic games 2026 Dakar: Senegal's olympic dreams and challenges As the Senegal prepares to host the upcoming Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, the nation finds itself at the intersection of immense pride and mounting pressure. This historic event marks the first Olympic competition to be held on African soil, placing Senegal in the global spotlight and testing its capacity to deliver a world-class sporting spectacle. The Youth Olympic Games represent more than just a sporting event; they are a platform for fostering youth development, promoting peace through athletics, and showcasing Africa’s potential to the world. Scheduled for autumn 2026, the games will bring together young athletes from across the continent and beyond, competing in a variety of sports while also engaging i...

While Lomé publicly projects an image as a regional mediator, a far more unsettling truth is reportedly emerging from Western diplomatic circles. According to diplomatic sources and American intelligence reports, the administration of Faure Gnassingbé has allegedly orchestrated covert negotiations between Captain Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso and the jihadist group JNIM. The supposed objective? To secure a fragile calm in Burkina Faso at the cost of a severe betrayal against Mali, led by Assimi Goïta. By facilitating an alliance between these terrorist elements and the rebel Front de Libération de l’Azawad (FLA) to destabilize Bamako, the Togolese leader is playing a dangerous game in the Sahel, potentially fracturing the unity of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) for his own diplomatic ...

« In my three decades of football, I have never witnessed an injury quite like the one sustained by Kalidou Koulibaly. » These alarming words from Al-Hilal manager Simone Inzaghi sent shockwaves through Sénégal in early April. After being sidelined for the Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat on January 18, the defensive pillar of the Lions of the Teranga is now facing a race against time to be fit for the 2026 World Cup. This news is a major blow for Pape Thiaw’s squad, especially after the CAF appeals jury stripped them of their African title, awarding a victory to Maroc. The path ahead is daunting, as Sénégal finds itself in a challenging World Cup group. Their campaign kicks off against France on June 16 at MetLife Stadium near New York, followed by encounters with Erling Haaland’s Nor...

The Mali U17 national team kicked off their preparation for the CAN U17 2026 in Morocco with a narrow defeat to Uganda (0-1). Under the guidance of head coach Demba Mamadou Traoré, the young eagles showed glimpses of promise but struggled to convert chances, highlighting areas for improvement ahead of the tournament. With the final phase looming, the technical staff is prioritizing key adjustments: enhancing finishing accuracy in both penalty areas, refining possession transitions, perfecting set-piece strategies, and reinforcing team chemistry. Every training session serves as a platform to evaluate tactical decisions and provide young talent with valuable game time ahead of the competition. The team’s next challenge comes on May 9, 2026, when they face Ghana in a crucial warm-up match....

Senegal coach Pape Thiaw to share CAN Morocco 2025 experiences Pape Thiaw, head coach of the Senegal national football team, is set to unveil a video offering his first official commentary on his tenure during the recent African Cup of Nations campaign. The announcement, shared across his social platforms, hints at an intimate recounting of his journey with the Lions. The Senegalese tactician described the experience as « an extraordinary adventure, » emphasizing the depth of stories within a larger narrative. « Many tales exist within one great story. I’ve chosen to share mine, » he stated, titling the upcoming video « The Lion’s Den. » Through this upcoming release, Thiaw aims to provide supporters with an exclusive glimpse into the behind-the-scenes dynamics of his leadership—enc...