Senegal lead coach Souleymane Diallo has outlined his team’s ambitions for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) as they prepare to confront Nigeria in their opening match on Tuesday evening.
The Lions of Teranga are the defending champions of the competition, having claimed their maiden title by defeating hosts Algeria in the final of the previous edition.
Still riding high from that triumph, they are considered favourites to rule Africa once again.
When requested how his players are coping with the weight of expectations, he told the media: "The players are cautious of their mission and our performance last time out only serves as a source of motivation for us.
"Entering this competition as defending champions doesn't add any pressure on us as many may think.
We won the previous trophy and it's in our cabinet.
"We rather sense we have been given a responsibility and we are ready to confront the realities of our status.
"Senegal must navigate a challenging Group D featuring Sudan, Congo, and the Super Eagles if they wish to reach the knockout stage.
Coach Diallo is well aware of the quality each opponent brings and has assured that his team will move toward every match with respect as they aim to conquer Africa for a second consecutive time.
"We are not here to protect the trophy in our keeping, we came to try to win another trophy, but for that we have to set the first objective which is qualifying from the group," he continued.
"These days, African football doesn't provide for teams to be classed as favourites.
That is why we respect all the teams in our group.
"Sudan, Congo or Nigeria all have players that have acquired the right to be in this competition.
They are all good and respected by us.
"Senegal vs Nigeria lead-to-lead recordBetopickThe Lions will be aiming for victory against Eric Chelle’s Nigerian side on Tuesday evening at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar City.
Sharing the coach’s sentiments is midfielder El Hadj Malick, a key figure in the Senegalese squad.
"We are decided, we know that Senegalese support at home anticipate a lot from us," he said.
"So, we are ready to continue the good run that we have set.
We have possessed good preparation and we are counting on the support of our people to move all the way.
"We confront Nigeria (today), after which we will switch our attention to the next matches.
"Senegal remain unbeaten in open play against West African rivals at CHAN, boasting two wins and two draws.
Impressively, they have kept three clean sheets in those four matches, with their only goal conceded coming in the third-place playoff against Ghana in 2009.
This is their 15th CHAN game, with Nigeria becoming the 14th different opponent they have confronted while Cote d’Ivoire is the only team they have met twice.
Senegal Squad for CHAN 2024Goalkeepers: Idrissa Ndiaye (Football Generation), Samba Mballo (US Goree), Marc P.
A.
Diouf (Teungueth FC)Defenders: Seyni Mbaye Ndiaye (US Goree), Mbaye Ndiaye (Jaraaf), Amadou Bene Coly (Ajel), Layousse Samb (Teungueth FC), Malick Sembene (Dakar Sacre-Cœur), Baye Assane Ciss (Teungueth FC), Daouda Ba (Dakar Sacre-Cœur)Midfielders: Ousseynou Drop Seck (Ajel), Moussa Cisse (Generation Foot), Bonaventure Fonseca (US Ouakam), Serigne Moctar Koite (Jaraaf), Mbaye Yaya Ly (AS Pikine), Insa Boye (Diambars FC), Issa Kane (Casa Sports), Pape Abasse Badji (Football Generation)Forwards: Mapathe Mbodji (AS Kaffrine), Libasse Gueye (Teungueth FC), Christian Gomis (Essamaye FC), Oumar Ba (US Goree), Vieux Cisse (US Goree), Ababacar Sarr (Jaraaf), Ameth Niang (Jaraaf)Shina OludareBetopick
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