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‘Atmosphere in the locker room was fantastic!’ - Senegal beats Mauritania to qualify for 2026 World Cup

‘Atmosphere in the locker room was fantastic!’ - Senegal beats Mauritania to qualify for 2026 World Cup

"Senegal booked their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in US, Mexico and Canada with a thumping 4-0 win over Mauritania in Dakar on Tuesday. Footage shows fans queuing outside the stadium and later celebrating as the goals went in, as the Lions of Teranga sealed top spot in CAF Group B with the win. Star forward Sadio Mane bagged a brace, while Iliman Ndiaye and Habib Diallo chipped in with a goal apiece to seal the result. Senegal ended the campaign on 24 points, ahead of DR Congo, and qualified directly for their fourth World Cup. After the match, the players praised the team’s comeback after a slow start in the group. “We started off poorly with a string of draws. Everyone had begun to doubt us, but we knew there was still room to qualify. Today wasn't an easy match; it was hot, but we managed the game,” said Crystal Palace attacking midfielder Ismaila Sarr. “We needed the victory. We're in Senegal, we can't miss the World Cup. Now we're going to the AFCON to win the title. We're the biggest team, so we have to win it. The atmosphere in the locker room was fantastic; it's incredible; we're all happy,” added Ilay Camara, who plays his club football with Anderlecht. Senegal will be making their fourth appearance at a World Cup, having qualified in 2002, 2018 and 2022, while attention now turns to the 2025 AFCON."

'We will decide when the decision is made' - Pistorius on financing Tomahawks for Ukraine, pledges €10bln in drone production

'We will decide when the decision is made' - Pistorius on financing Tomahawks for Ukraine, pledges €10bln in drone production

"German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius announced on Wednesday that 'in light of recent incidents,' Germany is planning to invest 10 billion euros in drone production. "Mark Rutte has presented a plan to strengthen drone defence," Pistorius told the press in Brussels. "Germany will naturally contribute with a visible effort here as well." "To accomplish and guarantee this in the coming years, Germany, according to the budgetary planning for the coming years, will invest 10 billion in drones of all kinds, all altitudes, attack and defence drones," he continued. The defence minister refused to comment on whether Germany would help finance the supply of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, stating: "We will decide when the decision is made." Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky is set to travel to Washington DC on Friday to meet with President Donald Trump and discuss the possible supply of Tomahawk long-range missiles. The US leader has said the supply of such missiles could be a 'new step of aggression' and suggested he would need to talk to Russia first. In response, Moscow has warned of escalation and a negative impact on Russia-US relations. Pistorius voiced support for the EU's Drone Wall initiative, emphasising that while European defence is 'foremost' NATO's task, 'every initiative is welcome.' "Every contribution that also comes from the European Union and is usually funded through the contributions of EU member states is welcome," he stated. This comes after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen suggested creating a NATO-EU 'drone wall'. The network of anti-drone technologies and systems aims to protect the European eastern border from drone incursions. The EU is expected to take the financial burden of the project, while NATO will provide military support."