A few weeks before the start of the 2024 African Nations Championship (Chan), Souleymane Diallo, Senegal coach, shares his calm and methodical approach to defending the champion title. Between pressure management, rigorous preparation and displayed ambitions, the Senegalese team is preparing to write a new page in its history.
Souleymane Diallo is clear: to succeed, you need flawless organization. For 14 weeks, Senegal has been following a structured program, alternating physical, technical and mental preparation.
“We have planned a training camp in a country neighboring the three Chan hosts,” he said in an interview with Cafon-line.com, stressing the importance of familiarizing himself with local conditions. This approach also makes it possible to unite a largely renewed group, made up of young talents from the Senegalese championship.
Pressure management: between serenity and lucidity
Being the title holder could come with overwhelming pressure, but for Diallo, it’s all about perspective. “The pressure exists, but we must identify the source to better manage it. We come with the title, but not with the same players,” he explains, recalling that only two members of the champion team in 2022, Serigne Koïta and Aboudoulaye Dieng, are still present. According to him, the important thing is not to let yourself be overwhelmed, but to use this status as a source of motivation.
For the coach of the local Lions, the Chan has strategic importance: it reflects the level of the local championships. “This competition is a showcase for our national football,” underlines the Senegalese technician. By banking on local talent, Senegal seeks to prove the competitiveness of its championship while promoting its players. The Senegalese coach recalls that Chan is a unique opportunity to develop and promote African football as a whole.
Clear objectives, a combative mindset
Despite expectations, the coach approaches the competition with pragmatism: “The most important thing is the first match. We must be calm and ready to take on the challenges.” For Diallo, each meeting will be a crucial stage, and the team’s state of mind will play a key role. He focuses on an “African mentality” where serenity and combativeness combine to overcome obstacles.
Chan 2024, which will take place in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, is a decisive test for Souleymane Diallo and his team. Defending the title of African champion while integrating a new generation of players is a major challenge, but the coach remains confident. “We are ready to approach this competition in the best possible way,” he concludes. With rigorous preparation, a lucid state of mind and strong ambitions, Senegal hopes to shine again on the continental scene and mark the history of African football.
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