Edouard Mendy, long regarded as Senegal’s number one goalkeeper, faced a temporary setback during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations when an injury forced him out of the starting lineup. Alfred Gomis stepped in during the tournament and has since started five consecutive matches. Despite this, Mendy insists that he feels no frustration or pressure over the situation. For him, the role of first-choice goalkeeper is never guaranteed, and competition within the squad is part of the game.
“It’s like in all positions, there’s no undisputed starter. I don’t have a designated number 1 seat, just as Alfred doesn’t have a number 2 seat. Everyone has to give their all and the choice is up to the coach. Whether it’s Alfred, Abdoulaye or me, we’ll do the job,” Mendy explained in comments reported by Galsen Foot, emphasizing professionalism and respect for the selection process.
Mendy also took the opportunity to acknowledge Gomis’ contributions. He praised his teammate for stepping up when needed, highlighting the strength and depth of Senegal’s goalkeeping options. “As I said after the AFCON, he had a very good tournament. He did the job. With Abdoulaye Diallo, it’s very rare to have three goalkeepers in a national team who play at the elite level. It’s very good for the country,” he added.
By maintaining a positive outlook, Mendy underlines the importance of teamwork and healthy competition, showing that Senegal benefits from having multiple top-class goalkeepers ready to perform on the international stage.
