CHAN 2025: We are not here to defend the trophy but to win another trophy – Senegal coach Souleymane Diallo

The coach of Sudan at the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN), Souleymane Diallo, has opened up about the team’s ambition at the tournament.

Speaking in an interview ahead of their opening Group D showdown against Nigeria on Tuesday, August 5, the coach stated that his team is not fixated on defending the trophy they won at the last edition of the tournament.

He argued that the team is at the tournament to try and win another trophy.

“We are not here to defend 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. 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 earned the right to be in this competition. They are all good and respected by us,” Coach Souleymane Diallo told CAFOnline.

Tuesday’s showdown between Nigeria and Senegal is scheduled to kick off at 17:00gmt.