This Monday, November 25, 2024, the Senegal women’s national handball team leaves Dakar for Kinshasa, with a view to participating in the 26th edition of the African Nations Championship (CAN) scheduled from November 27 to December 7. With renewed ambition and a rejuvenated team, the Lionesses hope to make history in the continental competition.
Last Saturday, the Lionesses received the national flag from the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Khady Diène Gaye, during an official ceremony. This strong moment galvanized the players and underlined the expectations of the Senegalese people.
“The minister spoke strong words and hopes for a very good result from us. She wants to see us come home with the cup,” confided Doungou Camara, new captain of the Lionesses, who succeeds Awa Ndiaye, recently retired from the international scene.
Under the direction of their new captain, Doungou Camara, playing at Stella Saint-Maur Handball in France, the Lionesses approach this CAN with a mixture of experience and youth. Several young players, recently reintegrated into the selection, strengthen a motivated squad. “Their integration went very well. All that remains is to refine a few moves to face all the teams that come before us,” assured the 29-year-old captain.
Housed in Pool A, the Lionesses will have to face formidable opponents such as Congo, Egypt, Algeria, Cape Verde and Kenya. Pool B brings together experienced handball nations, such as Angola, defending champion, DR Congo, Tunisia, Guinea, Cameroon and Uganda.
During the last edition of the women’s handball CAN organized in Dakar in 2022, the Lionesses won a fourth place, synonymous with historic qualification for the 2023 World Championship, where they reached the main round.
With this international experience, the Lionesses are approaching this CAN with confidence and determination: “We are going to treat all the teams in the same way. The more the competition progresses, the more we will raise our game to go as far as possible in the tournament,” said Doungou Camara.
Related News :