‘I don’t drink alcohol’: Nicolas Jackson clears air on allegations after Senegal exit World Cup

[p]In a game played in Seattle, the former [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/bayern-munich/nVp0wiqd/"]Bayern Munich[/a] star was handed a start and played for the entire game. He played up front alongside [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/mane-sadio/xxskxOU0/"]Sadio Mane[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/sarr-ismaila/ll2uTDkB/"]Ismaila Sarr[/a].[/p][p][b]The Lions of Teranga went ahead to lose the fixture 3-2, with Sarr notching the two goals. Despite the defeat, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/senegal/hOIsJLJr/"]Senegal[/a] had a chance to qualify for the Round of 32 if they defeated [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/iraq/K8aAGt6r/"]Iraq[/a].[/b][/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/jackson-nicolas/jXg8d5RJ/"]Jackson[/a] started from the bench in the final group game played at Toronto Stadium, but was later introduced in the 56th minute, as Senegal went ahead to win 5-0 and qualify for the knockout stage.[/p][h2]‘I don’t drink alcohol’[/h2][p][b]“I share the disappointment of all your people. We wanted to go further, for you and for this jersey,”[/b] said Jackson on his Instagram page.[/p][p]“I also see what's being said about me. It's false, I don’t drink alcohol, I never have.”[/p][p]Senegal exited the 2026 World Cup in the round of 32 following a heartbreaking 3-2 extra-time defeat to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/belgium/GbB957na/"]Belgium[/a] in Seattle.[/p][p]The Lions of Teranga surrendered a 2-0 lead with just five minutes remaining in regular time before Belgium’s [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/tielemans-youri/GtkTQyib/"]Youri Tielemans[/a] scored a stoppage-time penalty to win the match.[/p][embed guid="401977bf-e5ac-443c-80ac-976af0997328" url="https://x.com/snewsafrica/status/2073712145238307070" social-type="twitter" /][p][b]“I love this jersey too much and I respect my teammates too much to behave any other way than a professional,”[/b] added Jackson.[/p][p]“I understand the anger after a defeat, but it doesn’t give anyone the right to lie about a man. I’m going to do what I’ve always done: work, get back up, and come back stronger.[/p][p][b]“I’ll be there. Thank you to those who support us, in good times and bad.”[/b][/p][p]Jackson has denied the accusations made against him, and reaffirmed his professionalism. He further assured that he wants to turn the page, continue working, and come back stronger.[/p][infobox id="4ccc1b10-d68f-4c97-bcf4-5e613c17c2e3" /][h2]Senegal owe fans an apology[/h2][p]Meanwhile, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/diatta-krepin/lbPmGop2/"]Krepin Diatta[/a] has insisted Senegal’s elimination from the World Cup was a bitter pill to swallow for both the fans and the players.[/p][p]Diatta wrote on his social media accounts: [b]“First and foremost, we are sorry for you, the Senegalese people.[/b][/p][p]“This dream that we carried, you shared it with us, and we know how high your expectations were (…). We fully accept this failure (…).[/p][p][b]“Thank you to the Senegalese people for your love and support in victory as in defeat.”[/b][/p][p]Diatta added: [b]“We all share some responsibility and we must learn from this. This elimination hurts deeply. We failed in our mission and we owe you an apology.”[/b][/p][p]He concluded: “It’s time to get back to work, because football isn’t just played on the pitch.”[/p][p][b]Senegal will shift their focus to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. Senegal have been drawn into Group J alongside [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/mozambique/2aBNiivt/"]Mozambique[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/sudan/OGhP26xH/"]Sudan[/a], and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/ethiopia/4AGUPqC2/"]Ethiopia[/a].[/b][/p][p]The qualifying matches will be held across three FIFA international windows between September 2026 and March 2027, with the top two teams from the group advancing to the tournament.[/p][p]The 2027 edition will be jointly hosted by [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/kenya/CIAJw1QK/"]Kenya[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/uganda/hnw06lwh/"]Uganda[/a], and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/tanzania/KzAbFwJ7/"]Tanzania[/a] and is scheduled to take place from June 19th to July 18th, 2027. A total of 48 nations are competing in this qualification group stage, divided into 12 groups of four teams.[/p][image alt="Dennis Mabuka" id="009ee08a-c012-41bf-bdae-acba9770ea19" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="a179b47c-0520-473a-a966-328916cd595a" original-width="1200" original-height="381" /]