Senegal’s national football team will break from tradition by holding their pre-match preparations in Dakar, rather than Europe, ahead of upcoming high-profile friendlies against Ireland and England in June.
The Lions of Teranga, who are scheduled to face Ireland on 6 June in Dublin and England on 10 June in Nottingham, will assemble in Diamniadio, a suburb of Dakar, instead of the usual Paris-based training base typically used for European fixtures.
The decision, described by local outlet Le Quotidien and reviewed by Senego, marks a significant shift in the team’s logistical planning. It comes in response to the demanding nature of the football calendar, as most of the squad will have concluded their club seasons by 25 May.
With fatigue levels high after a grueling year of domestic and international fixtures, the Senegalese Football Federation and coaching staff have opted for a base that offers more controlled recovery and physical conditioning opportunities.
Team captain Kalidou Koulibaly and his teammates will benefit from a more tailored physical support programme in Dakar.
The location in Diamniadio, which boasts modern facilities, is intended to help players regain optimal fitness levels while also fostering team cohesion in a familiar and comfortable environment.
Crucially, the Senegalese staff believe the decision will help prepare the team for the intense physical style characteristic of British football.
Both Ireland and England are known for their athleticism and aggressive pressing, and these matches represent valuable tests ahead of upcoming competitive fixtures for the Senegalese side.
In addition to sporting considerations, the decision to hold the training camp in Senegal has been guided by human and emotional factors.
The move allows players—many of whom spend the majority of the year abroad—to reconnect with family and friends before embarking on what could be a demanding final international window of the season.
This home-based training camp is seen as a strategic balance between the technical requirements of elite preparation and the emotional well-being of the players.
It is expected to foster a stronger sense of national identity and connection, something head coach Aliou Cissé has consistently emphasised throughout his tenure.
The friendlies themselves carry added weight, not only for the quality of the opposition but also for the global visibility they provide.
Facing England, one of the world’s top-ranked teams, at a historic ground in Nottingham, offers Senegal a rare opportunity to test its tactical mettle against elite competition.
Similarly, the fixture against Ireland will demand focus and intensity, with both European sides likely to field strong squads as they continue their preparations for their own competitive objectives.
Senegal’s choice to prepare in Dakar underscores a broader philosophy—one that places as much value on physical readiness and national pride as it does on logistics and proximity. With the international break fast approaching, all eyes will now turn to how this unconventional preparation translates on the pitch.
