Arriving at the start of the season to strengthen a squad that was too short to play on several tables (Ligue 1, Champions League, Coupe de France), Abdoulaye Niakhaté Ndiaye had to wait a long time before getting his chance at Brest. But, in recent weeks, the young Senegalese defender has finally shown the full extent of his qualities.
Everything comes in time to those who wait. This proverb suits the trajectory of Abdoulaye Niakhaté Ndiaye’s season well. Arriving on loan from Troyes (Ligue 2), the Senegalese defender was champing at the bit at the start of the season. First suspended for the first three days of Ligue 1, he only made his debut on the 5th day against Toulouse (2-0 victory). The following day, the Senegalese international (1 selection) was again relegated to the bench (0-3 defeat) before coming into play against Le Havre (2-0) then starting again against Rennes. Then, after two matches outside the group, the 22-year-old regained his place against Montpellier, before playing three games in a row on the bench, without any minutes of play (against Monaco, Strasbourg and Lille).
5 complete matches in a row
But everything has changed since December 2024 since Abdoulaye Niakhaté Ndiaye has played all of the last 5 outings. He first took part in the 1-0 success against PSV Eindhoven on December 10. Then, he played the 90 minutes against Nantes 5 days later (4-1 victory) and in the Coupe de France against La Roche Vendée (1-0).
Finally in 2025, Abdoulaye Niakhaté Ndiaye continued with complete matches against Angers (0-2) and Lyon (2-1) in Ligue 1.
Tall (1m85) Abdoulaye Niakhaté Ndiaye impresses with his physical qualities. Good in aerial duels and in 1v1s, the native of Boune is also comfortable with the ball. A mix which could allow the Senegalese international to be one of the core men of Brest in the future, but also of the Senegal national team.
Oumar Boubacar NDONGO
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