Mory Diaw targets AFCON glory as Senegal chase a last triumph for their veterans

Mory Diaw enters his second Africa Cup of Nations determined to help deliver a title he has never experienced with Senegal.

The Le Havre goalkeeper, who missed the nation’s historic 2021 triumph, says the squad is united behind one goal as they prepare to compete in Morocco.

Diaw’s journey with the Lions began quietly in 2022, when he joined the national team for friendly matches against Iran and Bolivia.

With Edouard Mendy firmly established as Senegal’s first-choice goalkeeper, the 32-year-old spent much of his early international career working patiently for an opportunity.

He was absent from the squad that travelled to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup, but his persistence earned him a place in the team for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast — his first major tournament.

From the sidelines, he watched Senegal endure a difficult campaign that ended earlier than expected, with a round-of-16 defeat to the hosts.

Now, approaching a new continental challenge, Diaw believes Senegal must return to Morocco with a stronger, sharper mindset.

In 2021, Senegal won the AFCON and I wasn’t there. In 2023, I was in the squad, but we were eliminated in the round of 16 (…) We want to leave Morocco with the trophy. That’s our one and only objective. This AFCON will be the last for many key players. We’re going to do everything we can to make sure they leave on a high note, he told Le Havre Paris Normandie.

For Diaw, the upcoming tournament carries both personal and collective significance.

Alongside his ambition to lift a first international trophy, he is acutely aware of the chapter closing for several senior figures who played central roles in Senegal’s golden generation.

Their potential final appearance adds urgency to the team’s pursuit of success.

Within the national camp, competition remains intense.

Mendy continues to command the No. 1 spot, yet Diaw has become an increasingly trusted presence, valued for his composure, shot-stopping ability and steady rise at club level.

His performances in France have strengthened his reputation, and his inclusion in the travelling squad underscores Senegal’s confidence in his contribution.

As preparations intensify, Diaw insists the focus is unwavering.

Senegal arrive in Morocco aiming to reaffirm their status as one of the continent’s elite teams — and to honour the veterans who helped shape that identity.

For the goalkeeper, this AFCON offers a chance not only to make history but to finally share in a triumph he has waited years to touch.