Dakar, Dec 19 (APS) – The Senegalese technician, Souleymane Diallo, will make his baptism of fire on the bench of the local national team on Sunday in Monrovia, against Liberia in the first leg of the qualifying play-offs for the next African Championship of Nations (CHAN) 2025, scheduled for February 1 to 28 in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Exempted in the first round, due to their status as reigning champions, the Lions will face the Lone Stars this Sunday in Monrovia.
After several years in the anteroom of the youth selections, Souleymane Diallo has the difficult task of succeeding Pape Thiaw, winner of CHAN 2022 in Algeria.
The teacher-researcher, responsible for football courses at the National Higher Institute of Popular Education and Sport (INSEPS) of the Cheikh-Anta-Diop University of Dakar, has had rich experience with the U17 and U20 national teams in the Cup of Africa and at the World Cup.
To defend the continental title, the former coach of Teungueth FC and Guédiawaye FC worked with local players for more than two months.
Facing Liberia on Sunday, at home, and for the return match scheduled for Saturday December 28, Soueymane Diallo will have to prove the confidence placed in him by the federal authorities to retain the continental title.
The task promises to be difficult; Liberia having called up most of the players from the national A team.
The two teams know each other well and had already crossed paths during the CHAN 2023 qualifiers. After a victory (3-0) in Monrovia, the local Lions were beaten (1-2) by Liberia.
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Senegal
