Senegal’s U18 men’s national rugby sevens team bowed out in the first round of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG). Facing experienced opposition in the group stage, the Young Lions suffered three consecutive defeats against South Africa, Germany and Canada. Although their campaign ended early, the experience will serve as a valuable learning opportunity for this promising young generation. The Senegalese youngsters faced a tough schedule from the outset. On the opening day, they lost 43–5 to South Africa before falling 32–12 to Germany in their second match. In their third and final group-stage fixture, played on Sunday, 1 November, the Young Lions faced Canada.
Senegal’s U18 men’s rugby sevens team were eliminated in the first round of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games on Sunday, 1 November. The Young Lions suffered three consecutive defeats against South Africa (43–5), Germany (32–12) and Canada (40–0). Battling physical exhaustion and injuries, the young players struggled to cope with the intensity of the demanding schedule. Head coach Insa Thior highlighted the immense physical and mental effort required to compete in their final match. Despite the difficult campaign, this first international experience represents a valuable learning opportunity for the players as they continue their development.
I don’t think things should have unfolded this way, but it is understandable. As I mentioned earlier, we played two tough matches before the final game and expended a lot of energy. We also picked up injuries along the way, while some players had to push through the pain just to finish the third match.
Insa Thior , U18 National Team Head Coach
Despite the heavy defeats, the coaching staff highlighted the team’s adaptability and flashes of quality on the pitch. Despite the intensity of the competition, these positive moments show that the work being done is paying off, although a lack of international experience remains a key challenge at this level.
I saw many encouraging signs that reflected the work we had put in. The players showed what we had been working on, even if only in two or three moments during the game. As I said, experience and exposure to major competitions make the difference. This is their first time competing in a tournament of this scale.
Insa Thior , U18 National Team Head Coach
This exposure to international-level competition represents an important milestone for the young athletes. Having experienced the physical, tactical and mental demands of international rugby sevens, the Young Lions now have a valuable foundation on which to build as they continue their development and progress in their careers.
