Awa Diakhité sets sights on glory with Senegal at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations

Senegal forward Awa Diakhité has made her ambitions clear ahead of the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The 28-year-old, who plays for Olympique de Marseille in France, is determined to lead her national team to victory.

In an exclusive interview with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Diakhité outlined her aspirations for the tournament, emphasizing her desire to lift the trophy.

“We are not here just to participate. Our goal is to progress past the group stage, go far, and ultimately win the trophy,” Diakhité declared with unwavering confidence.

The forward, who has represented Senegal for several years, is still haunted by the team’s heartbreaking quarter-final exit in the 2022 edition of the competition, where they were eliminated by Zambia.

That defeat, which cost the Lionesses a spot at the World Cup, remains a bitter memory for Diakhité.

Reflecting on that painful exit, she shared how the team has used the setback as a source of motivation for the future. “We were so close to the World Cup… it hurt, but we learned from it. Now, we know that the Africa Cup of Nations is winnable, and this time, we’re coming for it,” she said.

With a mix of experience and determination, Diakhité is confident that Senegal is prepared for the challenges ahead. She highlighted the importance of the team’s collective experience, noting that the majority of the squad has already competed in previous AFCON tournaments.

“We are no longer novices. We know what it takes, we understand the effort required, and we are ready,” she affirmed.

As Senegal prepares to face Zambia once again in the group stages, Diakhité is unshaken by the prospect of facing familiar opponents. Along with Zambia, Senegal will also compete against the Democratic Republic of Congo and hosts Morocco in a challenging group. Despite the strength of these teams, Diakhité remains resolute in her belief that Senegal can triumph.

“We know our opponents well. We’ve played against them before. But now, it’s about doing the job. The rest are just names,” she confidently stated. Her focused mindset reflects the determination shared by her teammates, as they prepare to challenge for Africa’s top football prize.

For Diakhité, this tournament represents an opportunity to make history with her country, and she is ready to give everything for Senegal’s success.