Senegal a threat to France – Deschamps

Senegal national team have been labelled a ‘good team’ by France coach Didier Deschamps ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup opener.

Speaking at a press conference after the World Cup squad announcement, Deschamps was asked about France’s status as a title contender, given that they are Senegal’s first opponent.

The French national team coach preferred to remain cautious and knows that they will have to work hard right from the first round. sportnewz.click

Deschamps wary of Senegal team

“We have attacking potential… but all nine players won’t necessarily play together. It’s important to have options and to be able to distribute playing time,” said Deschamps.

“It’s good that the French national team is first in the FIFA rankings. So, there’s no problem being among the favorites. But are we more favorites than Spain, Portugal, England, Brazil, Germany, Argentina, or Morocco?

“You’ll have your own answer. I know there are expectations, but we have some tough opponents in our first three matches. And we have to focus on the first one first. There are expectations, that’s true.

“It’s also my fault and the players’ fault for having created them. It’s not about running away from it (the favorite status), but it’s not about saying ‘woah’ either.

“Be warned, the level of competition is ruthless. We have some tough opponents. I respect Iraq, but Senegal and Norway are very, very good teams.”

Senegal have defeated France before

Senegal famously defeated France 1-0 in the opening match of the 2002 FIFA World Cup on May 31. Papa Bouba Diop scored the historic goal in the 30th minute, leading the debutant Senegalese side to a stunning upset against the then-World and European champions.

Senegal was making their first-ever World Cup appearance and advanced to the quarterfinals, while France was eliminated in the group stage without scoring a goal.

La cour d’appel de Paris a annulé, le 6 mai 2026, le non-lieu dont avait bénéficié Agathe Habyarimana dans l’enquête sur son éventuelle implication dans le génocide des Tutsis perpétré au Rwanda en 1994. Alors que son avocat a annoncé mercredi 13 mai se pourvoir en cassation, RFI a consulté l’arrêt rendu par la cour d’appel. Cette dernière estime que les investigations doivent se poursuivre avant de pouvoir se prononcer sur l’éventuel rôle joué par la veuve de l’ancien président rwandais. Recherche de documents, auditions de nouveaux témoins, investigations... On fait le point sur les raisons derrière cette annulation.

Au Tchad, voilà un an que l'opposant Succès Masra est en prison. À la suite de son arrestation, l'ancien Premier ministre a été condamné à vingt ans de prison pour avoir diffusé en 2023 un message qui, selon le tribunal, aurait provoqué, deux ans plus tard, de graves violences intercommunautaires dans le sud du Tchad. À la tête de son parti les Transformateurs, Succès Masra est arrivé officiellement deuxième à la présidentielle de 2024, avec 18% des voix. Depuis un an, de nombreuses voix s'expriment en sa faveur. Parmi elles, il y a sa sœur, Chancelle Masra, qui vit en France.

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus, who not too long ago was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of the North-West for his contribution to rugby, is now going to receive one of the highest national honours from the presidency.

President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to award Erasmus the Order of Ikhamanga during a ceremony on Tuesday next week.

The announcement was made on Thursday by Chancellor of the National Orders Phindile Baleni, who said Erasmus would be among 40 recipients honoured this year.

Erasmus has turned the Boks into the leading team in the world and been at the forefront of two successful World Cup winning campaigns, in 2019 and 2023. He took charge of the national team in 2018.

The Order of Ikhamanga is awarded to South Africans who have excelled in fields including sport, arts, culture and journalism.

Baleni praised Erasmus for his impact both on and off the field during the Springboks’ recent period of success.

“His inspirational leadership in national and international rugby has propelled the Springboks to repeated Rugby World Cup championships,” she said, according to sarugbymag.co.za.

“Victory on the field of play has advanced social cohesion among South Africans and raised the nation’s esteem in the international community.”

The national orders recognise individuals who have made significant contributions to building a democratic and united South Africa.

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi received the same honour in 2023.

The Stormers coaching team will not only be watching how their side perform against Cardiff in their final league game of this United Rugby Championship season in Wales on Friday night, but they’re sure to also have eyes on what’s happening in Belfast where Ulster will welcome Glasgow Warriors.

As it’s turned out, the top two teams will both be in action on Friday evening, hunting a win and the all-important top spot on the URC points table.

Glasgow have 60 points, the Stormers 59. If both lose on Friday it will open the door for last season’s champions, Leinster, to claim top spot. They have 58 points and are at home to Ospreys on Saturday.

Not one-way traffic

Though both Glasgow and the Stormers will be slight favourites to win, the teams they’re up against have incentives of their own.

Ulster (who Glasgow face) are eighth and need to win to ensure Connacht (ninth) aren’t given a chance of replacing them in the quarter-finals lineup. At the same time, Cardiff (who the Stormers face) are seventh and also in danger of being demoted to ninth, should they lose and other results go against them.

It all makes for a thrilling Friday night of URC action, which will continue into tomorrow.

John Dobson’s Stormers will hope for an improved performance from last week when all they could manage was a 38-all draw with Ulster.

‘Plenty to play for’

He said a win would be huge for his side.

“We obviously would like to finish as high on the standings as possible and take some winning momentum into the play-offs,” said Dobson.

“There were some lessons we took from our draw in Belfast last week, and we know it will take a big effort to get the better of what will be a desperate Cardiff team.

“Although we have already secured a home quarter-final, there is plenty to play for, and everyone is excited to meet the challenge at Cardiff Arms Park.”

Tighthead prop Neethling Fouché will lead the team this weekend, with Paul de Villiers coming in at flank in place of the injured Deon Fourie. In the backs, Jonathan Roche and Wandisile Simelane are the new centres, as Damian Willemse moves to fullback and Suleiman Hartzenberg comes in on the right wing.

Kick-off is 8.45pm.