José Mourinho’s comments on Senegal’s defeat to Belgium have sparked a lot of reactions in the football world. The Portuguese coach delivered a blunt analysis, focusing on match management and the limitations observed in several African teams during crucial moments.
“I have to ask the question: what’s going on with African teams at this level? It’s the same story repeating itself.”
According to him, the scenario seen against Belgium is not an isolated case but part of a series of similar situations experienced by several teams from the continent during major competitions. Mourinho emphasizes a worrying recurring trend during high-pressure moments.
“They start well. They lead at halftime. The play is good, the energy is there. And then, the second half comes… and they collapse.”
The former coach of Real Madrid and Chelsea describes a pattern he finds repetitive: a strong start, temporary control, then a gradual loss of control after the break. For him, this dynamic reflects a problem in managing the highs and lows of a match.
“DR Congo has experienced it. Ivory Coast has experienced it. And now, Senegal has done exactly the same thing.”
Mourinho broadens his analysis beyond just Senegal. He cites other African nations to support his argument, stating that these scenarios regularly play out on the international stage, especially against more experienced European opponents in managing the end of matches.
“Senegal had it under control. They were leading 2-0 in the 84th minute. The match was theirs. And in just a few minutes, they let a two-goal lead slip away. That should never happen at this level.”
The Portuguese coach then revisits the specific flow of the match, highlighting Senegal’s favorable position at the end. He emphasizes the difficulty in explaining such a loss of control in such an advanced stage of the game.
“We’ll talk about tactics, physical condition, luck. For me, it’s a question of mentality. Of concentration. It’s about knowing how to kill a match when you’re dominating.”
🚨 Jose Mourinho on Senegal being knocked out by Belgium:
"I have to ask it — what’s going on with African teams at this level? It’s the same story over and over again.”
"They start strong. They lead in the first half. The football is good, the energy is there. And then,… pic.twitter.com/bZvQjhcVDx
— Dan (@CfcDan_01) July 1, 2026
For Mourinho, the analysis shouldn’t be limited to technical or physical aspects. He particularly highlights the mental dimension, which he sees as crucial in the ability to maintain an advantage and manage pressure in the final minutes.
“African football has the quality, there’s no doubt about it. But if they want to compete and truly win against the best European teams, they need to take the mental aspect very seriously. Because right now, they are losing matches they had already won.”
