By Evans Worlanyo Ameamu, GNA
Keta (V/R), June 16, GNA – Hundreds of football fans at Keta Municipality of the Volta Region, have expressed deep disappointment after Senegal fell to France by 3-1 in the group L opener of the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup.  Â
The defeat dashed early hopes of Senegal advancing deep into the tournament, with supporters who had rallied behind the Lions of Teranga now turning attention to the team’s remaining group stage fixtures.
Mr Seidu Abdullai Fuseni, a Fans at Keta, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, recalled Senegal’s historic 1-0 win over France in 2002 World Cup, co-hosted by Korea and Japan, but acknowledged the current gulf in squad depth as Kylian MbappĂ©, Ousmane DembĂ©lĂ©, and Michael Olise, among other spectacular players have repeatedly exposed the Senegalese defence.
“Despite the loss, for me l will praise Senegalese work rate and pressing, though many agreed that the team lacked clinical finishing in front of goal to convert limited chances, l still believe they will bounce back stronger in the next two remaining group matches,” he said.
He explained that player assessments showed that France’s midfield duo AurĂ©lien TchouamĂ©ni and Andrien Rabiot controlled tempo which limited the influence of Senegal’s Idrissa Gana Gueye and Pape Gueye throughout the contest.
He emphasised that tactically, France’s high press and fluid 4-2-3-1 formation suffocated Senegal’s build-up from the opening whistle, while the African champions struggled to find rhythm despite efforts from experienced Sadio ManĂ© and Nicholas Jackson.
“The group stage still underway, qualification chances for Senegal is now depends on results from their remaining matches against Iraq and Norway in the group.”
He said a win in the next fixture would keep Senegal firmly in contention for one of the automatic qualification spots, while even a draw could keep their hopes alive depending on goal difference.
Mr Bubune Simon Awuku, another fan, said that the Lions of Teranga would need to tighten their defence against counter-attacks and improve conversion rates, as France demonstrated how small margins decide matches at this level.
He called on CAF to invest more in grassroots development to build the squad depth and tactical sophistication needed for African nations to compete consistently in World Cup knockout rounds in the subsequent years.
GNA gathered that despite the setback, the overriding mood in Keta was cautious optimism, with supporters vowing to rally behind Senegal and any other African nation in the tournament while others expressed confident that the continent’s first World Cup title is drawing closer.
Many believed Senegal, Morocco, Cape Verde, Ghana, DR Congo, Egypt, CĂ´te d’voire would make Africa proud in their remaining fixtures.
GNA
Edited by: Maxwell Awumah/Kenneth Odeng Adade