In a delightful encounter with young Senegalese football enthusiasts at the Ajamaat Football Club center in Ziguinchor, Kalidou Koulibaly, the revered Senegalese captain, shared a captivating anecdote about a memorable moment during the World Cup in Qatar, particularly highlighting his elusive quest for a goal in the national colors.
Despite consistently exhibiting defensive prowess since joining the Senegal National Team in 2015, it took nearly seven years and 67 caps for Kalidou Koulibaly to mark his first goal with the Lions.
A surprising statistic for a player who has frequently found the back of the net while representing his various club teams.
During the insightful conversation with the young football enthusiasts, Koulibaly recounted a humorous incident that unfolded during the World Cup in Qatar. He disclosed, “It was at the World Cup in Qatar.
We were warming up for the match against Qatar, and Edouard, who looks at the advertising board, sees that I have more than 60 caps and zero goals.”
The revelation prompted good-natured disbelief from Edouard Mendy, the Senegalese goalkeeper. Koulibaly continued, “He (Edouard Mendy) didn’t believe it.
We talked about it just after the match (against Qatar), and it turns out that in the third qualifying match against Ecuador, I managed to score my first goal for the selection after more than 60 selections.”
The locker room atmosphere was filled with amusement and camaraderie as Koulibaly’s achievement became the subject of good-natured banter.
Reflecting on the experience, he added, “Everyone made fun of me and laughed in the locker room. It was really funny for me to see Edou talk to me about that just before the match, and I managed to unblock myself thanks to that.
They were all really surprised because I hadn’t scored a goal even though I had made so many caps.”
This lighthearted tale sheds light on the human side of football’s elite, offering a glimpse into the camaraderie and humor that often accompany these athletes on their remarkable journeys.
