This Saturday, at 5 p.m., Senegal will play the return leg of the final round of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers, against Liberia, at the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Diamniadio. The meeting promises to be decisive for the local Lions, reigning champions, who obtained a draw (1-1) in Monrovia last week. The objective is clear: win their ticket for the tournament, scheduled from February 1 to 28, 2025, in co-organization with Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
For this meeting, the coach of the local Lions, Souleymane Diallo, underlined the importance of this match. “I think the players are aware of what is at stake in this match. We have a good collective state of mind, and we intend to demonstrate it on the field tomorrow, InshaAllah. Being the only Senegalese national team not yet qualified is a source of motivation, not pressure. This awareness pushes us to approach the match seriously, without letting ourselves be overwhelmed by negative pressure,” he said.
The Senegalese technician also specified that this Saturday’s meeting would be different from the first round in Monrovia, which ended in a draw (1-1). “We have developed a new game plan adapted to the circumstances. Playing at home requires adjustments, and we have strengthened certain sectors accordingly,” he added. For him, the stakes are important, but should not overshadow the importance of the game. “It is essential to play well to enhance this stake, and I believe that the players have understood this. We must capitalize on the point obtained away and work to make it decisive tomorrow. There will likely be some variations as the context has changed. Entertaining at home involves a different strategy from that adopted outside. However, there is no need to radically change the way we play. The objective is to take as many points as possible out of the six at stake, and then we will advise. Otherwise, we will have to improve the point acquired away from home.”
Souleymane Diallo concluded by emphasizing that, before thinking about the title, it is imperative to overcome the Liberian obstacle. “The president of the Senegalese Football Federation came to the stadium yesterday and spoke with them. Today, all the Senegalese people know that we must mobilize together to overcome this stage. The leaders demonstrated this by attending the training session. I receive many calls of support, but the main thing is our work. It is up to us, technical staff and players, to make the necessary efforts to win this match, so that Senegal can defend its title. However, the most important thing is to focus on the 90 minutes against Liberia, and then look to the future with this selection.”
wiwsport.com
