Diallo - Photo Courtesy Senegal FA Media.
Senegal head coach Souleymane Diallo believes they will not be under any pressure when they kick off their 2024 CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament.
Successor to Pape Thiaw, the man who led Senegal to the title of African champion at the CHAN 2022 in Algeria, Diallo now bears the responsibility of defending the continental crow.
However, Diallo is not moved by the fact Senegal aere heading to the tournament to be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania from February 1 to 28 seeking to defend their title.
“I have a very good state of mind overall. I think the boys are aware of what is at stake in this competition, but we must not put ourselves under pressure,” said Diallo in an exclusive interview with CAFOnline.
“For me, the most important thing is the first game. We will have to approach it with a very good state of mind, a very good mentality, but above all an African mentality which consists of being serene first and identifying the obstacles we need to tackle.”
Asked if they will be under pressure, Diallo said: “No, no pressure! I am used to saying that. Pressure is important in all things. Most importantly, the source of the pressure must first be identified. If you identify the source of the pressure and you identify the nature of the pressure, for me, right now, there's no more pressure, but there's situational awareness.
“It's true that Senegal is African champion, but don't forget that the African champion squad is not the same squad as we have at the moment. We only have two survivors (Serigne Koita and Aboudoulaye Dieng). So, we will have to analyse strongly. Does Senegal come with its African champions or does Senegal come with the title of African champion?
“We have to point out the nuanced difference between these two. But what is most important, we will come to approach this competition in the best possible way, while not hiding our coat as African champions. On the contrary, this awareness of our African champion mantle pushes us to have a much more cautious approach, a much more serene approach.”
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