Why No African Team Is Ever Winning The World Cup: Senegal Edition
Senegal walked onto the World Cup pitch with AFCON champions, Premier League stars, and Sadio Mané.
Norway walked onto the same pitch with Erling Haaland. On paper, it was a fair fight. But the scoreline told a different story.
Before a single ball was kicked, Senegal's camp was in complete disarray. Head coach Pape Thiaw had been working without a contract since February and was owed five months of unpaid salary.
Players had not received their bonuses for winning the Africa Cup of Nations or for qualifying for the World Cup.
There was no team chef, forcing players to order takeaway from outside the hotel just to eat properly.
Meanwhile, federation officials brought their own families to America on the federation's budget.
Norway had one of the most meticulously prepared camps at the tournament. Fully funded. Fully staffed. The contrast was embarrassing.
Africa will keep producing world-class players. The question is whether the federations will ever match that quality.
Full breakdown 👇