Senegal head coach Souleymane Diallo has issued a stern message to his squad as the defending champions intensify preparations for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), making it clear that only fully committed players will be part of the Lions of Teranga’s campaign.
With just weeks remaining before the tournament kicks off on August 2—jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda—Diallo’s focus is fixed on discipline, identity, and tactical cohesion.
Following a narrow 1-0 win over Guinea in Diamniadio, which wrapped up a competitive two-game friendly series, the Senegalese coach made it evident that the time for leniency is over.
It wasn’t a friendly series, Diallo said after the match. We approached it like the CHAN itself: intense, aggressive, and with high stakes.
That aggressive mentality translated on the pitch as Senegal kept a clean sheet, tactically outmaneuvering a Guinea side known for its fluid attacking play.
The Teranga Lions’ organisation in midfield and sharp counter-attacks drew praise from the coach, who described the performance as an early indicator of tournament readiness.
We stayed compact, neutralized their movements in midfield, and looked for quick transitions, Diallo noted. The players followed instructions well, and that’s exactly what we need going into the tournament.
But beyond tactics, Diallo’s message to his players is also one of unwavering dedication.
Reducing his initial 35-man provisional list to 29, the coach has taken a firm stance against players using CHAN as a platform to chase overseas contracts during the competition window.
We are not a fitness club or a springboard for contract hunters, he stated. If a player is considering going abroad on trial, he is excluded.
The federation, under Diallo’s directive, has conducted internal checks to identify players with questionable commitment.
Several have already been dismissed from the group after being found to be seeking moves away from the domestic league during the tournament period.
We are conducting a thorough investigation, he warned. And if there is any doubt about their availability, we will not waste any time.
Diallo’s emphasis, as Senegal gears up for a demanding Group C campaign featuring Uganda, Guinea, Niger, and South Africa, is firmly on unity and tactical discipline.
The CHAN is not about glamour or individual talent, he stressed. It’s about courage, team identity, and tactical commitment.
With Senegal entering the competition as reigning champions, the coach has made it clear: defending the title will require more than skill—it will demand absolute loyalty, grit, and collective sacrifice.
