Edouard Mendy, Senegal’s goalkeeper, anchors a club and country amid Africa Cup drama and governance shakeups in 2026.
Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers begin with high-profile clashes as Renard returns to Ivory Coast, Queiroz leads Ghana, and co-hosts Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania prepare for a long campaign across 2026-27. Nigeria, Senegal and Madagascar also feature in the early rounds while hosts Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania chase a 2027 final in East Africa.
Neom defeats Al-Hilal 2-0, ending Hilal’s 47-game league unbeaten run. Neom’s win follows a string of strong performances that emphasize youth development and sustainable growth in Saudi football.