The city of Saint-Louis in Senegal is set to become a major hub for football preparation as the new season approaches. The inaugural Coupe du Nord tournament was officially launched on September 21, 2026, at a ceremony held on Place Baya Ndar. The event was attended by delegations from participating clubs, administrative and sports authorities, and numerous supporters. The ceremony was preceded by a festive atmosphere, with supporters of Allez Casa and the 12th Gaïndé entertaining the crowd with chants, music, and dance.
The Coupe du Nord tournament is the brainchild of Bamba Bâ, president of the Saint-Louis Regional Football League and manager of the Linguère de Saint-Louis club. Bâ described the tournament as a symbol of fraternity, sharing, and mutualization, aiming to develop activities and relationships that benefit the different regions represented. He also reaffirmed his commitment to preserving the heritage and identity of the Linguère club. The tournament is scheduled to take place from September 20 to 30, 2026, at the Mawade Wade and Bango stadiums.
The tournament features seven clubs from Senegal's Ligue 1 and one team from Mauritania. The competition offers an opportunity for teams to evaluate their squads, test their game systems, and provide playing time for their players before the new season begins. For the people of Saint-Louis and football fans, the tournament provides a chance to watch high-level matches in a festive atmosphere. The event is expected to become a regular fixture on Senegal's sports calendar.
The mayor of Saint-Louis, Mansour Faye, expressed his support for the initiative and reaffirmed the municipality's commitment to promoting sports in the city. Other attendees at the ceremony included Abdoukhadre Dieylani Bâ, deputy prefect of the Saint-Louis department, Pape Sidy Lô, third vice-president of the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF), and several football stakeholders.
The tournament is seen as a significant step in the development of football in Saint-Louis, which aims to become a major center for football preparation in Senegal. The event is expected to contribute to the growth of sports in the region and provide a platform for local teams to compete against top-level opponents.
The Linguère de Saint-Louis club, managed by Bamba Bâ, is one of the participating teams in the tournament. The club's involvement in the competition is expected to help promote football in the region and provide a boost to the local sports scene.
The Coupe du Nord tournament is set to conclude on September 30, 2026, after ten days of competition. The event is expected to leave a lasting impact on the sports landscape in Saint-Louis and Senegal, with plans to make it a regular occurrence in the country's sports calendar.
Key points
- The inaugural Coupe du Nord tournament was officially launched on September 21, 2026, in Saint-Louis, Senegal.
- The tournament features seven Ligue 1 clubs from Senegal and one team from Mauritania, competing from September 20 to 30, 2026.
- The event aims to promote football in Saint-Louis and provide a platform for teams to prepare for the new season.
