For his first official match at the head of the local Senegal National Team, Souleymane Diallo did not have the hoped-for success. The Lions were forced to share points (1-1) against Liberia, during the first leg of the second round of the CHAN 2025 qualifiers. A mixed performance which still leaves hopes before the return leg scheduled at the Stade Abdoulaye- Wade in a week.
This away draw is not catastrophic, especially as the away goal rule remains in force in CAF competitions. However, Souleymane Diallo and his players would undoubtedly have hoped for a better start for this first meeting under the direction of Pape's successor Bouna Thiaw.
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At the start of the match, the Senegalese attack, led by Serigne Moctar Koita and Almamy Mathew Fall, struggled to find solutions against a well-established Liberian defense. Despite some interesting forays, the Lions lacked inspiration and precision for a large part of the meeting. It was finally in the second half that the Senegalese managed to raise the level. The opening score came in the 78th minute, thanks to a superb free kick from Layousse Samb. The latter placed the ball on the head of Seydina Mandione Mbaye, who got the better of the opposing defense to score the Senegalese goal.
Unfortunately, this lead did not last long. A few minutes after opening the score, the Lions were surprised by a rapid reaction from Liberia, who equalized, taking advantage of a moment of deconcentration from the Senegalese defense. With this draw, the Lions will absolutely have to show a different face during the return match at home.
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