Pape Gueye omits Morocco in African teams' World Cup assessment
pape gueye left Morocco out when he assessed African teams’ opening World Cup group-stage results. The Senegal midfielder pointed instead to Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire and Egypt, a choice that sharpened attention on comments made with Senegal about to open against France.
Pape Gueye on Africa's starts
“I don't see the outcome as mixed; Cape Verde drew with Spain, Côte d'Ivoire secured a win, and Egypt drew (against Belgium). It's up to us now to do what's necessary.” Gueye made that remark in a media interview about the first round of the World Cup group stage, and the list stopped there.
Morocco’s 1-1 draw with Brazil was not part of his assessment. That omission carried extra weight because the Senegalese national team previously withdrew from the Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco, and a disciplinary committee later confirmed Morocco’s claim to the title after the initial withdrawal incident.
Senegal before France
Senegal was scheduled to face France on Tuesday at 8:00 PM GMT+1 in its opening World Cup group-stage match. Gueye’s comment landed with Senegal still in the middle of that buildup, so the selective framing of Africa’s results became part of the discussion around his team as well as Morocco’s place in the tournament picture.
For Senegal, the immediate next step was France. For Morocco, the 1-1 result against Brazil was already on the board, but it did not make Gueye’s short review of Africa’s opening round. That gap is what turned a routine tournament assessment into a sharper football statement.
