US Gorée is preparing for a challenging return to the African Champions League after several years of absence. The Senegalese club will face Guinean powerhouse Horoya AC this Saturday in Dakar for the first leg of the CAF Champions League preliminary round. The match represents an important opportunity for US Gorée to assert itself on the continental stage and advance beyond this initial hurdle.
For the island club, the goal is clear: secure a positive result against one of Africa’s top sides to progress to the group stage of the competition. This ambition is rooted not only in the desire for current success but also in a proud historical legacy. US Gorée’s leadership hopes to inspire the current squad by recalling the club’s memorable performance in 1985, when its predecessors reached the semi-finals of what was then known as the African Cup of Champions Clubs. Unfortunately, logistical challenges at the time prevented the team from contesting the final, but the memory remains a motivational cornerstone for the club today.
“Horoya AC has firmly established itself as the top club in Guinea and is now aiming to advance to the group stage of the CAF Champions League,” said Augustin Senghor, president of US Gorée and of the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF), in comments to local media. “It won’t be easy, but we must give ourselves the means to succeed. It’s important to remind our young players that US Gorée once reached the semi-finals, and they should aim to emulate that achievement.”
Senghor also highlighted the broader significance of this preliminary match. After a difficult start to the domestic championship, the international fixture offers a timely opportunity for the club to regain momentum and launch its season on a positive note. US Gorée has taken careful steps to retain key players from last year’s Senegalese championship-winning squad and to integrate those who had not yet been fully eligible to participate. This continuity, Senghor believes, will strengthen the team’s chances of success in continental competition.
The match against Horoya AC will test the team’s preparation, tactical discipline, and resilience. The Guinean side has been a consistent contender in African football, often reaching the latter stages of the CAF Champions League, which underscores the challenge US Gorée faces. Nonetheless, the island club is determined to overcome the odds and make a statement in its return to continental play.
With ambition, historical inspiration, and careful planning, US Gorée aims to navigate the preliminary round successfully. A strong performance against Horoya AC in Dakar would not only position the team favorably for the return leg in Guinea but also serve as a morale boost and a reminder of Senegalese football’s potential. The islanders are focused, motivated, and ready to fight for a place in the group stage, carrying the hopes of both their supporters and their nation.
