We’d Love To Be First African Country To Win The World Cup, Senegal Legend Henri Camara

Former Senegal star forward Henri Camara has said the wish of everyone in his country is to see the Teranga Lions become the first African country to win the FIFA World Cup.

Senegal are one of the 10 African countries featuring at this year’s tournament co-hosted by US, Canada and Mexico.

But it has not been the best of outings for Senegal who have lost their opening two group matches to France (3-1) and Norway (3-2).

However, they can still progress if they beat Iraq in their final fixture, and hope results in other matches favour them to stand a chance of making it as one of the third best placed teams.

Despite his country’s disappointing start to the competition Camara, in an exclusive interview with Parimatch, expressed hope that the Teranga Lions will get to the semifinals this year.

Camara, a member of the Senegalese squad that got to the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup, also tipped Morocco to go far at the 2026 tournament.

“We’d love to be first, and I think we will be one day. I don’t know if it will be this year, but I’d like us to finish in the last four, to reach the semi-finals.

“With the players we have, I think Senegal can go far. That said, what Morocco showed against Brazil was very strong. I think Morocco will also be there in the later stages. We’ll see which teams reach the final, but I’d like to see an African team get there this year.”

Asked if Senegal and Morocco were to meet later in this World Cup, should that match settle who the true AFCON champion is, following the controversy from the final, Camara stated that Teranga Lions are the champions and remain the champions.

He said:“We won it on the pitch. Even today, if our paths cross again, Senegal will beat Morocco. We are the best team in Africa.”

Also Read: World Cup 2026: Sarr Upbeat Senegal Will Bounce Back Against Iraq

On whether Chelsea made a mistake not trusting Nicolas Jackson’s talent as a striker, Camara described his compatriot as one of those forwards who hasn’t had much luck.

He stated that Jackson was good for a spell at Chelsea but is not sure why they let him go positing that he did good things at Bayern too while on loan.

“I think Chelsea should give him the chance to show his talent. He’s a good player, technical, powerful, the kind of striker who wears defenders down. I like how he plays. He should stay and show he’s a good attacker.

“With Nicolas Jackson, I don’t see anyone better than him in that squad. I think he can bring a lot to Chelsea under Xabi Alonso.”

When asked where Jackson could go next if he is not wanted at Chelsea, he added:”He has good representation, and plenty of clubs are interested. I think even if Chelsea don’t want to keep him, he’ll find a good club, that’s certain. He had a good match against France. Even without scoring, he played well.”

On if Chelsea should have been more patient with Edouard Mendy given their struggles since he left:”Chelsea are always looking for a good goalkeeper. Edouard was the best goalkeeper they’ve had. Sometimes big clubs don’t really know what they want. I think they can still find a good goalkeeper, but I don’t think Edouard will go back to Chelsea.”

Also on whether Chelsea would have had more success and won more trophies keeping Mendy’s experience to anchor such a young squad:”They can find another goalkeeper, but Edouard is settled where he is right now. I don’t think he’ll be returning to Chelsea.”