Senegal U17 ready for intense AFCON challenge, says Lamine Sané

Senegal U17 coach Lamine Sané says his side are using every stage of their preparation to measure themselves against the best teams in Africa as the Young Lions move closer to the start of the 2026 U17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

The former Senegal international spoke after his team’s 1-0 friendly victory over Tunisia at Hammam Stadium, a result that marked another important step in their build-up to the continental tournament.

With Senegal considered among the favourites for the competition, Sané reflected on the team’s preparations, the importance of facing strong opposition, and the ambitions carried by the Young Lions ahead of the tournament.

Tunisia test seen as valuable preparation

The narrow win over Tunisia offered Senegal an opportunity to assess their readiness before travelling to Morocco for the competition.

According to Sané, the match served a strategic purpose, particularly because of the similarities between Tunisia and Algeria, one of Senegal’s opponents in the group stage.

“I think it’s a good thing for our team to play this friendly against Tunisia. Tunisia is a team with a similar profile to Algeria, with whom we share a group. So this match allowed us to get a taste of what Algeria will offer and also to step out of our comfort zone,” said the U17 Lions coach, Lamine Sané, to FSF TV.

The encounter allowed Senegal’s coaching staff to evaluate tactical discipline and the team’s ability to adapt under pressure. It also provided players with another competitive test before the opening matches of the tournament.

Sané’s comments suggest the focus during preparation has not only been on results but also on exposing the squad to different styles of play that they may encounter during the competition.

Senegal among teams expected to impress

Senegal head into the tournament carrying strong expectations following the country’s recent success across several levels of African football.

The Young Lions are viewed as one of the teams capable of making a deep run in Morocco, although Sané has insisted on shielding his players from excessive pressure.

The coach acknowledged the growing importance of the Africa Cup of Nations at youth level and underlined the value of the competition in assessing the progress of young players on the continental stage.

“I believe the AFCON is a major trophy, and today, whether at the senior or youth level, the AFCON has really grown in importance. Participating in this competition will allow us to gauge our level against other African teams. For me, it’s an honor to represent this U17 team,” concluded the coach and former Senegalese international.

His remarks reflect both ambition and caution, with the emphasis remaining on development, learning, and representing Senegal competitively throughout the tournament.

Final preparations continue in Rabat

Before beginning their AFCON campaign, Senegal are scheduled to play one final preparation match against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The fixture will take place in Rabat on Monday, May 11 at 5:00 p.m.

The match against the Leopards is expected to provide another opportunity for Sané to fine-tune his squad and make final adjustments ahead of the competition.

Preparation matches have formed a central part of Senegal’s approach in recent weeks, with the coaching staff seeking to improve understanding between players while also testing tactical systems in competitive situations.

The victory over Tunisia has already offered encouragement, but the technical team will continue working on consistency and cohesion before the tournament officially begins.

Growing anticipation before AFCON begins

The U17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco is expected to bring together some of the continent’s most promising young talents, with several nations aiming to establish themselves among Africa’s elite at youth level.

For Senegal, the tournament represents another opportunity to continue the country’s strong football development at international level.

The Young Lions arrive with confidence following their recent preparations, but also with awareness of the challenges that await them in a highly competitive field.

Sané’s focus remains on readiness rather than predictions, with the coach determined to ensure his players are prepared physically, mentally, and tactically for the demands of the competition.

As the countdown to the tournament continues, Senegal’s final friendly against DR Congo will provide one last opportunity to build momentum before stepping onto the continental stage in Morocco.