Latest news with #IdrissaGanaGueye
Irish Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Senegal lined up to provide Ireland a strong test
History will be made this month when the British and Irish Lions play in Ireland for the first time. But for once, the FAI are one step ahead of their rugby equivalents having conducted a tour of their own playing countries whose nickname incorporates the lions. This tour continues on Friday when Ireland welcome Senegal (The Lions of Teranga, meaning hospitable) to the Aviva Stadium before concluding next Tuesday away to Luxembourg (The Red Lions). Early tour results were so poor that in March Ireland had to defeat Bulgaria (The Lions) in a relegation playoff to avoid demotion to Nations League C. This was necessitated by heavy defeats both home and away to England (The Three Lions). Just to rub it in, the England Women's team (The Lionesses) recently completed their own double over our Girls in Green. After facing Ireland the Lions of Teranga will travel immediately to Nottingham to play The Three Lions to conclusively determine who really is The Lion King of international football. This will be the first time the Boys in Green have played Senegal, but two visitors are making a quick return to Ireland. In July 2024 the Everton team that drew 3-3 with Sligo Rovers before a packed Showgrounds in the 'Séamus Coleman Derby' included both Idrissa Gana Gueye and debutant Iliman Ndiaye. READ MORE In May, Ndiaye entered Toffees history by scoring both goals in a 2-0 victory over Southampton in Everton's final men's match at Goodison Park, their home for 133 years. Less happily, in January, Ndiaye became the first player to be booked for the hitherto unknown offence of impersonating a seagull as he celebrated his winning goal against Brighton. Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson celebrates finding the net for Chelsea against Real Betis in the Conference League final. Photograph: Rafal Oleksiewicz/PA Wire A number of Pape Thiaw's squad arrive with freshly minted winners medals in their luggage. Nicolas Jackson scored for Chelsea in their 4-1 victory over Real Betis in the Conference League final. Two medal winners have recently generated 'Super Sarr' headlines. Ismaïla Sarr was a crucial part of the Crystal Palace team that secured their first major trophy by defeating Manchester City 1-0 in the FA Cup. Days later, namesake Pape Sarr provided the assist for Brennan Johnson's goal for Spurs in their 1-0 win over Manchester United in the Europa League. When Sadio Mané requested not to be selected for the trip to Ireland, Senegal replaced him by calling up Mamadou Lamine Camara, who recently won the African Confederation Cup with his Moroccan club Renaissance Berkane. But the long-term replacement for Mané is expected to be Amara Diouf, who in August 2023 made his senior debut for Senegal against Rwanda aged 15 years and 94 days. Diouf rose to prominence aged just 14 when he helped Senegal win the 2023 under-17 Africa Cup of Nations, finishing as the competition's top scorer. Senegal have consistently supplied some of the Premier League's best players – not to mention its greatest hoax. In November 1996, Southampton manager Graeme Souness received a telephone call from a man purporting to be George Weah recommending he sign his cousin, Senegalese striker Ali Dia. It always seemed odd to imagine Weah cold-calling relegation-threatened clubs to see if they wanted to sign random relatives. After all, Weah was a Ballon d'Or winner on a career trajectory that would see him serve as president of his country. Senegalese players celebrate after Pape Bouba Diop scores what turned out to be the only goal of the game against France at the 2022 World Cup. Photograph: Jacques Demarthon/AFP via Getty Images Perhaps, more pertinently, that country was Liberia and not Senegal. Signed on a short-term deal Dia was introduced as a replacement for the injured Matt Le Tissier in a league game against Leeds United before being himself substituted. An unimpressed Le Tisser recalled that Dia 'ran around the pitch like Bambi on ice. It was very embarrassing to watch'. This single appearance did at least enable Dia to win one football competition, finishing top of one newspaper's list of 'The 50 Worst Footballers". Like Ireland, Senegal have qualified for the World Cup three times, with their first appearance remaining their most successful. In 2002, Senegal made the greatest World Cup debut in history, defeating reigning champions France 1-0 in the tournament's opening match. There were memorable scenes following Papa Bouba Diop's winner as the team danced around a shirt in celebration. They went on to become only the second African team to reach the quarter-finals. When they returned to the World Cup in 2018, Senegal made less welcome history as the first team ever to be eliminated on a 'fair-play' tiebreaker. Having finished the group stage with an identical record to Japan, they were ousted on the grounds of having received more yellow cards (six to four). To make matters worse, two of Senegal's six bookings had been received in injury time of their clash with Japan. One Senegal-born international who has won the World Cup is Patrick Vieira, a fact highlighted by Roy Keane during their infamous prematch confrontation in the Highbury tunnel. Having read in the match programme about the good works Vieira was funding in the country of his birth, Keane less than charitably inquired 'If you love Senegal so much why don't you play for them?'. Senegal are captained by Kalidou Koulibaly, considered such a man mountain at centre half that his nickname is 'K2″. Koulibaly was captain when Senegal won the African Cup of Nations for the only time in 2021 and plays for Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, where international colleague and former Chelsea team-mate Édouard Mendy is goalkeeper for Al-Ahli. At Stamford Bridge Mendy became only the second player from Senegal (after Mané) to win the Champions League when Chelsea defeated Manchester City in the 2021 final.
Daily Mail
30-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Chelsea weighing up approach for Everton star but David Moyes remains determined to keep England international this summer
Chelsea are weighing up an approach for Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite but Toffees David Moyes is reluctant to sell him. With James Tarkowski recovering from hamstring surgery, Moyes would be thin on options at the back if Branthwaite were to depart. Elsewhere, Everton are finalising terms with Idrissa Gana Gueye over a new contract while they are in talks with Flamengo over a move for Carlos Alcaraz. Chelsea's interest in Branthwaite comes after it was previously reported that Manchester United were willing to fork out more than £50million to land him this summer. Everton had already rejected two bids from United last summer, including a second offer of £45million plus £5m in add-ons, as they wanted £70million. He also was only willing to move to a club that can offer him Champions League football as he felt ready to himself at the highest level - which puts Chelsea ahead of United in the running for the centre-back this time around. In March, The Sun claimed that United bosses were still eager to sign Branthwaite, 22, despite Everton refusing to play ball last summer. Branthwaite made his England debut in June last year but was excluded from Tuchel's first squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia. Earlier this year, Mail Sport's Manchester United Confidential reported that United would turn away from a big-money defensive signing and opt for a cheaper option with potential. However, that was before Lisandro Martinez suffered a season-ending ACL injury, casting more doubt over his long-temr fitness. Martinez had already missed large chunks of his first two seasons at Old Trafford due to injury. In January, United extended Harry Maguire's £190,000-per-week contract until 2026 after his upturn in form. However, with Maguire having turned 32 this month, United have to have one eye on the next generation of defensive talent. They did hold talks over the feasability of a bid for Branthwaite in January but ended up tightening their purse strings. Instead, they spent £29.4m on wing-back Patrick Dorgu and a rather more modest £1m on Ayden Heaven from Arsenal.
The 42
27-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Senegal star Sadio Mané will miss Ireland friendly in Dublin
SENEGAL WILL BE without star striker Sadio Mané when they travel to the Aviva Stadium for next week's end-of-season friendly against the Republic of Ireland. The former Liverpool star, now plying his trade with Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, is the most notable omission from Pape Thiaw's 26-man squad. Advertisement Thiaw described Mané's absence as a 'personal decision'. Senegal's squad for their trip to Dublin on 6 June and to play England in Nottingham Forest's City Ground on 10 June contains a host of familiar Premier League talent including Everton duo Idrissa Gana Gueye and Ilman Ndiaye, Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson, Tottenham's Pape Matar Sarr and Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr. Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and defender Kalidou Koulibaly, both formerly of Chelsea, are also included. Senegal squad Goalkeepers: Edouard Mendy (Al-Ahli), Mory Diaw (Rodez AF), Yehvann Diouf (Stade Reims) Defenders: Kalidou Koulibaly (Al-Hilal), Abdou Diallo (Al-Arabi), Moussa Niakhate (Olympique Lyon), Abdoulaye Seck (Maccabi Haifa), Antoine Mendy (OGC Nice), Ismail Jakobs (Galatasaray), El Hadji Malick Diouf (SK Slavia Prague) Midfielders: Pathé Ciss (Rayo Vallecano), Lamine Camara (AS Monaco), Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham Hotspur), Pape Gueye (Villarreal CF), Idrissa Gana Gueye (Everton), Krépin Diatta (AS Monaco), Habib Diarra (RC Strasbourg), Mamadou Lamine Camara (Renaissance de Berkane) Attackers: Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace), Cherif Ndiaye (FK Crvena zvezda), Iliman Ndiaye (Everton), Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea), Boulaye Dia (Lazio), Abdallah Sima (Stade Brestois), Cheikh Sabaly (FC Metz), Idrissa Gueye (FC Metz)
NBC Sports
15-03-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC Sports
'Don't Forget Where You're From' Idrissa Gana Gueye on Senegal, Faith, and Football
Everton midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye's (id-DRISS-ah GAH-nah GAY) career pays homage to African culture and his Senegalese roots. 'I want to show them that anything is possible — even if you come from Africa. You have to be proud. You have to keep your culture and keep your faith,' said Gana, reflecting on the message of hope he wants to instill in the next generation. Gana's big break came in France with Lille, where he quickly earned a spot in the first team and helped secure a league title in 2011. In 2015, he made his Premier League debut with Aston Villa, featuring in 35 matches, before signing with Everton in 2016. After three successful seasons with the Toffees, he moved to PSG, where he played a key role in securing two league titles and four domestic cups over three years before returning to Everton in 2022. In an interview for NBC Sports' By Way of Africa series, Gana, who has been a key member of the Senegalese national team — The Lions of Teranga — for over a decade, reflects on the importance of his Senegalese culture, fatherhood, and what playing for the Toffees means to him. He also highlights the impact that David Moyes has had since his return as manager and discusses the team's approach and attitude. *This interview has been edited for length and clarity. How did growing up in Senegal shape the way you see the world, and what are some of your favorite memories from that time? Idrissa Gana Gueye: Growing up in Senegal made me a good person. It gave me my religion, and [taught] me how to be a man. It taught me how to be a footballer, too. I used to play football with my friends on the street without shoes, like a lot of kids in Senegal. Senegal brought me happiness and taught me to be a nice guy — to welcome everybody who comes to your home. It gave me a nice culture, and I'm so proud of it. A good memory is when I first joined the Diambars Academy when I was 13. I left my family, joined Diambars, and started to play football in a professional academy. How has football influenced life and culture in Senegal, and what impact has the sport had on the community? Gana: People in Senegal love football so much. I think it's the only game that can bring everybody to the same area. It brings peace, happiness, and solidarity. One of the most popular sports in Senegal is football, after the traditional sport of [wrestling]. When you are young, it's all you want do. As soon as school is over, you go to play football with friends. You just play football because you love it. What aspects of Senegalese culture are you most proud of? Gana: Teranga. The word in English is similar to 'welcome.' When someone comes to your home, you welcome them, you give them nice food, a nice drink. You welcome them in the best way. That is Teranga. I know you have fond memories of watching Senegal in the 2002 World Cup, and now you've been on the Senegalese National Team since 2011. You've played in two World Cups and won the 2021 AFCON tournament. What does it mean for you to get to represent The Lions of Teranga? Gana: It means a lot because when you are young, you just dream of playing for the national team. Watching them play for the first time in the World Cup was just amazing, and now, being part of this team and giving my best to win trophies — hopefully, one day, we will win the World Cup, because I believe we can do it! We [inspire] young players in Senegal, showing them that anything is possible. I'm so proud to represent my country all around the world. DOHA, QATAR - NOVEMBER 29: Piero Hincapie (R) of Ecuador is challenged by Idrissa Gueye of Senegal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group A match between Ecuador and Senegal at Khalifa International Stadium on November 29, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Marvin Ibo Guengoer -) Getty Images DOHA, QATAR - NOVEMBER 21: (L-R) Cheikhou kouyate of Senegal, Ismaila Sarr of Senegal, Fode Ballo Toure of Senegal, Edouard Mendy of Senegal, Kalidou Koulibaly of Senegal, Abdou Diallo of Senegal, Boulaye Dia of Senegal, Nampalys Mendy of Senegal, Krepin Diatta of Senegal, Idrissa Gueye of Senegal, Iliman Ndiaye of Senegal during the World Cup match between Senegal v Holland at the Al Thumama Stadium on November 21, 2022 in Doha Qatar (Photo by Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images) You've talked about how special it is for you to wear your middle name 'Gana' on the back of your jersey and how much your grandfather and father meant to you. My condolences to you and your family. I know you recently lost your dad. How are you doing? Gana: I'm doing good. I'm so proud to wear this name because it was my father who gave me his father's name. When I started playing football, I made the choice to [wear] 'Gana' on my jersey to make him proud. I did it for him because he's the man who taught me everything. He gave me everything, he made so many sacrifices for me; he gave me religion — him and my mom — so I'm so proud to make him proud. Every time I would finish a game, he would send me a message. The first time he saw the name 'Gana' on my back, he was so proud and he called me. That was the biggest thing for me to be able to give him this back because he gave me everything. LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 21: Everton's Idrissa Gueye during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Nottingham Forest at Goodison Park on April 21, 2024 in Liverpool, England.(Photo by Dave Howarth - CameraSport via Getty Images) CameraSport via Getty Images Thank you for sharing that. There were so many incredible moments that your dad got to see throughout your career. What accomplishment of yours meant the most to him? What do you think he was most proud of? Gana: I think it was the first time I played for the national team. The first time he saw me on the pitch, I think he cried at the end of the game. It was a special moment because we were playing against Ivory Coast, which is where he was born. He was so proud. After the game, he told me, 'Thank you. I can't choose between you and Ivory Coast.' He loved Ivory Coast, of course; he was Senegalese, but one part of him was from Ivory Coast. That's why I love that country. It's my second country; I used to go there a lot to visit. You shared a special bond with your dad through football. What does it mean for you now to be able to share that same love of the game with your sons? Gana: It's so difficult sometimes because when you finish training, you just want to go home and chill, but [my kids] they want to play football a lot. I remember when I was young, I used to follow my [older brothers] because they played football. They taught me how to run and how to [control] the ball. They bought me my first training kit and my first [pair] of shin pads. It's special to me. I don't want to force [my kids] to play because for me, the most important thing is religion. They need to be good [people], good Muslims, and after that, if they want to play football, I will help them and teach them what I've learned. But the most important thing is being a good man. That's what I try to do after training. I go home and grab the ball. Sometimes we go in the [field] to play. It's difficult, but it makes them happy because they love football, especially my older one. Every time he comes home from school, he puts on his training kit. We don't even need to buy him [regular] clothes because he just wants to wear his training kit. Idrissa's Instagram This is your sixth season with Everton. You're a fan favorite, and you've built such a rich history with this club. What does playing for Everton mean to you? Gana: It means a lot because this club gave me the opportunity to play at a high level. It's given me everything. I've had good mates, there are good fans, and I just love this club. I played here for [three] years before I went to PSG, and I'm back now, trying to do my best to help the team in the best way. It means a lot to me. LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 19: Idrissa Gueye of Everton celebrates scoring the first goal with Abdoulaye Doucoure, Dwight McNeil and Ashley Young during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Everton FC at Emirates Stadium on May 19, 2024 in London, England.(Photo by) What has the transition with David Moyes been like? Gana: We're training [well]. When the manager changes, the training can change with some things. We're watching more [film] and working on more tactical things — playing small passes. We're just trying to do our best and enjoy each moment. Hopefully, this manager will help us get to the next level. That's what the club deserves — to play at the top level, fighting for Europe, not battling for relegation. As an African footballer in the Premier League, how important is it for you to inspire the next generation, and what kind of legacy do you hope to leave for them? Gana: I want to show them that anything is possible — even if you come from Africa. You have to be proud. You have to keep your culture and keep your faith. You came here to work, but don't forget where you're from. We are so proud to represent Africa all around the world. It doesn't matter where we are; we're all [united]. Football is international. It's not just for Europe; it's for everybody. If you have the opportunity and can work hard, you can come to the Premier League, La Liga, or the French league — it doesn't matter where. But the most important thing is don't forget to go back and play for your country. Idrissa Gueye #27 of Everton F.C. controls the ball during the Premier League match between Everton and Fulham at Goodison Park in Liverpool, England, on October 26, 2024. (Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images) NurPhoto via Getty Images What do you wish that people knew about Senegal? Gana: Senegal is the most beautiful country in the world. The people are so nice, amazing, and always smiling. They will welcome you with 'Teranga'. There are some nice places there. You will enjoy the country, come visit Senegal! Editor's Note: By Way of Africa is a series committed to highlighting the talent and stories from the African continent and its diaspora. African stories are worth telling, and the culture—all of the languages, tribes, and traditions—is worth celebrating. Embedded in these narratives is a profound testament to the diligence, discipline, and work ethic deeply ingrained in African heritage. Whether born on the continent or dispersed across the globe, the contributions of these stories to society resound uniquely, by way of Africa.
