Senegal’s home-based national team was held to a 0-0 draw by Guinea on Thursday evening in a cagey but hard-fought friendly at the annex of the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Diamniadio, as both sides continued preparations for the African Nations Championship (CHAN).
The fixture, a key test ahead of the regional tournament reserved for players active in domestic leagues, offered few clear chances and ended with neither side able to break the deadlock despite spells of pressure and tactical adjustments.
While Senegal showed moments of promise, it was Guinea who appeared more composed and physically dominant for large portions of the match.
Senegal, led by coach Souleymane Diallo, started brightly, maintaining possession and probing Guinea’s defence in the opening stages.
However, as the match approached the half-hour mark, Guinea gradually took control. Their well-structured midfield began dictating the tempo, and the visitors asserted themselves physically, forcing the Senegalese to retreat and defend deep.
Despite Guinea’s growing dominance in the final 20 minutes of the first half, they were unable to convert their territorial advantage into goals.
Several forays into Senegal’s box were either deflected or met by strong defensive interventions, and goalkeeper Pape Ndiaye remained largely untested in terms of direct shots on target.
Senegal made several adjustments after the break in a bid to restore balance and spark creativity. Christian Gomis, Moussa Cissé, and Mangoné Ndiaye were brought on to bolster the midfield and add attacking impetus.
The substitutions nearly paid off when Mangoné Ndiaye found the net from a set-piece situation, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
Guinea responded with swift counterattacks and came close on two occasions, including a well-struck free kick that was expertly parried by the Senegalese goalkeeper.
The game opened up briefly in the middle of the second half, with both sides pushing for a breakthrough but lacking the final touch.
In a further attempt to swing momentum, Senegal introduced Ousseynou Fall Seck and Moustapha Fane just past the hour mark.
The changes injected some energy into the squad but were not enough to overcome Guinea’s organised shape.
The match ultimately ended in a stalemate, with both technical benches left with much to reflect upon. For Senegal, the draw offers a useful if slightly sobering benchmark of the team’s current readiness.
Their defensive resilience was evident, but the lack of attacking cohesion remains a concern.
Guinea, for their part, will be encouraged by their tactical discipline and physical edge but may also rue missed opportunities to snatch victory on Senegalese soil.
The two teams will meet again on Monday in the second leg of this double-header, also scheduled to take place at the same venue in Diamniadio.
With the CHAN tournament drawing closer, both squads will be hoping to sharpen their execution and improve chemistry in the limited time that remains.
