Senegal’s Local Lions to face Guinea in two friendlies ahead of CHAN 2025

Senegal’s home-based national team will play two international friendly matches against Guinea on 4 and 7 July 2025 at the Lat Dior Stadium in Thiès, as part of their final preparations for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2025.

The reigning CHAN champions are intensifying their training ahead of the tournament, which is scheduled to run from 2 to 30 August in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

The upcoming fixtures against Guinea form a central part of Senegal’s strategy to fine-tune tactics and assess player readiness before the competition begins.

Currently, the squad is undergoing an extended training camp at the Jules François Bocandé Technical Centre in Toubab Dialaw. Led by head coach Souleymane Diallo, the group of 28 players — all drawn from clubs within the domestic league — has been training since 30 June. The camp is set to continue until 11 July, allowing ample time for conditioning, tactical drills, and team-building exercises.

Senegal, drawn into Group B of CHAN 2025, will face tough group-stage opposition in the form of Nigeria, Sudan, and Congo. The team will be based in Zanzibar for this stage of the tournament.

Meanwhile, Guinea, Senegal’s opponent for the friendlies, is also gearing up for CHAN and will commence its own camp on 2 July. This will be Guinea’s fourth appearance in the tournament, where they are placed in Group C alongside Cameroon, Rwanda, and Togo.

The two matches in Thiès are expected to serve as key performance indicators for Senegal’s preparations. Coach Diallo will be closely evaluating tactical cohesion, individual performances, and the physical readiness of his squad.

According to Senegalese outlet Wiwsport, the fixtures are a crucial opportunity to refine match strategies and assess the team’s competitive sharpness under match conditions.

Friendly matches have long been a core component of Senegal’s national team development programmes. Earlier this year, the under-20 side engaged in a double-header against DR Congo as part of their own preparations — a method that has proven effective in identifying strengths and weaknesses before official competitions.

Senegal enters the 2025 edition of CHAN with confidence and expectation, having lifted the title in the previous tournament. With a deep pool of domestic talent and a coaching staff committed to disciplined, detailed preparation, the Local Lions are determined to defend their continental crown.

Facing Guinea, a team known for its physical play and tactical discipline, will offer a valuable test. For Senegal’s coaching staff, these matches are not merely friendlies — they are full-scale rehearsals for what lies ahead in East Africa.

The experience and lessons drawn from both games will likely influence final squad selections and tactical approaches in the group stage.

As always, Senegal’s preparations are characterised by professionalism and long-term planning. The rigorous approach adopted for CHAN 2025 mirrors previous national team build-ups, which have combined high-level training camps with carefully chosen friendly opposition.

With expectations high and the tournament just weeks away, all eyes will be on the performances in Thiès. The results may not define Senegal’s tournament, but the insights gained could prove pivotal in their quest to retain the African Nations Championship title.