Krépin Diatta says lifting the Africa Cup of Nations on the pitch for Senegal remains the unfulfilled ambition that continues to drive him, as the Lions of Teranga prepare to face Egypt in Wednesday’s semi-final in Tangier.
The Monaco winger was part of the Senegal squad that claimed continental glory in 2022, but injury ruled him out of the tournament itself, forcing him to watch the country’s historic success from afar.
Two days before the decisive clash at the Grand Stade de Tanger, Diatta spoke of the mixture of pride and regret that accompanied that triumph, and of his determination to finally experience that moment as a player.
In an interview with RTS, he reflected on the experience of being sidelined during Senegal’s finest hour.
“I missed the 2022 edition due to an injury, but I can assure you that I was the happiest when we won that trophy. Because for me, the most important thing is Senegal.”
Those words underline the depth of his attachment to the national jersey.
Despite already being recognised as a champion of Africa, Diatta feels that his journey with the national team remains incomplete.
The medal in his cabinet does not replace the feeling of contributing on the pitch, and he admits that absence has stayed with him.
The winger’s relationship with the Africa Cup of Nations has been shaped as much by disappointment as by celebration.
He was part of the Senegal side that fell short in the 2019 final, a defeat that left a lasting imprint.
Three years later, he was denied the chance to help write history through no fault of his own.
Now, as Senegal stand on the brink of another final, those memories have sharpened his focus.
For Diatta, the tournament is not simply about silverware or personal status.
It represents a childhood aspiration rooted in pride for his country and the sacrifices made to reach the top level.
“Winning a trophy with my country has always been a childhood dream,” Krépin said, before adding: “I lost an AFCON final in 2019 and I wasn’t there in 2022; I hope this time will be the one.”
Senegal’s meeting with Egypt brings together two heavyweights of African football, and for Diatta it carries a deeply personal edge.
The semi-final is an opportunity not only to reach the showpiece match but also to rewrite his own narrative with the national team.
His comments suggest a player who has processed the setbacks of the past without bitterness, using them instead as motivation.
The injury that robbed him of a place in the 2022 campaign has become a reminder of how fleeting such chances can be, while the loss in 2019 stands as evidence of how fine the margins are at the highest level.
As the countdown to kick-off continues, Diatta’s focus is clear.
He wants to be part of the story this time, not a spectator. For a footballer who measures success by what he can achieve in Senegal colours, Wednesday offers the chance to move one step closer to the moment he has imagined since childhood.
