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CAF
11-05-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Saliou Dia: 'Our players have found their soul again' – Senegal ready for Nigeria showdown
Published: Sunday, 11 May 2025 Senegal U20 coach Serigne Saliou Dia says his team has rediscovered its fighting spirit ahead of a high-stakes quarter-final clash with Nigeria at the TotalEnergies CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2025. The defending champions face seven-time winners Nigeria on Monday in Ismailia in what promises to be one of the tournament's most gripping encounters. Senegal's journey to the last eight has been anything but smooth. A 1-1 draw with the Central African Republic followed by a 1-0 defeat to Ghana had Les Lionceaux staring at the exit door. But a commanding 2-0 victory over DR Congo on the final day secured their place in the knockouts — and reignited belief. 'This group was born in adversity,' said Dia. 'We needed to go through that storm to measure our strength. We questioned ourselves, we regrouped, and we came back stronger.' The coach admitted his team had flaws but insisted those challenges served as fuel. 'I saw the change in their eyes during the warm-up against DR Congo. There was no more doubt — only determination.' A Quarter-Final with History Senegal vs Nigeria is more than just a quarter-final. It's a clash rich in history and emotion. The two sides met in the 2015 final in Dakar, which Nigeria won 1-0. The rivalry remains fierce despite the generational changes. 'This is a clash of football DNA,' said Dia. 'Two teams built on intensity, pride, and direct play. But this time, we want to write our own version of the story.' While Nigeria remain unbeaten, their group stage campaign raised questions. The Flying Eagles opened with a 1-0 win over Tunisia, then drew 0-0 with Morocco and surprisingly 2-2 against already-eliminated Kenya. Senegal's coach has responded to his own team's inconsistent form with bold tactical decisions. Cheikh Tidiane Thiam has been moved deeper to stabilize midfield, and striker Ibrahima Dieng rediscovered his scoring touch against DR Congo. But Dia believes the biggest shift has been psychological: 'We worked a lot on the mental side. When the legs are tired, it's the mind that must take over. I told them the DR Congo match was a Round of 16 game — and they won it like one.' A Title to Defend, Not to Inherit Senegal knows the burden of being champions. Every opponent sees them as a target. But Dia refuses to let that pressure weigh down his squad. 'The title belongs to no one — it must be earned again each time. This group is still being built. The AFCON is not just a showcase, it's a mirror.' Senegal's preparation for the tournament included rigorous friendlies, including a test against DR Congo before the start of the finals. The goal, according to Dia, was to 'build a team before chasing trophies.' Kick-off is at 12:00 GMT on Monday at the Ismailia Stadium. The winner will advance to the semi-finals and secure qualification to the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile. 'I've seen my players rise again,' Dia concluded. 'I've seen the pride in their eyes. We are ready.'
CAF
10-05-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Defending champions Senegal face seven-time winners Nigeria in blockbuster clash
Published: Saturday, 10 May 2025 Seven-time champions Nigeria will face defending title holders Senegal in a mouth-watering quarter-final clash at the TotalEnergies CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2025 on Monday in Ismailia. It is a meeting between two of the most storied sides in the competition's history, but both arrive at this stage with question marks despite their pedigree. Nigeria remain unbeaten after the group stage, but their form has been patchy. The Flying Eagles opened with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Tunisia, then shared the spoils in a goalless draw with Morocco before being held 2-2 by an already eliminated Kenya. That unexpected slip against Kenya—after initially leading—has raised doubts about the team's defensive discipline and focus. Coach Ladan Bosso is expected to rely on the attacking drive of Lawrence Ouma, who scored twice in the group stage, along with the creativity of midfielders like Yusuf Ibrahim to unlock the opposition. However, Nigeria's struggle to maintain control and kill off matches may prove costly against an opponent with Senegal's resilience. Senegal, meanwhile, endured a dramatic path to the last eight. The defending champions were stunned 1-0 by Ghana in their second match after a draw with Central African Republic left them on the brink. But with their title defence hanging by a thread, Les Lionceaux delivered when it mattered—beating DR Congo 2-0 on the final day to progress. It was a match that restored belief in coach Serigne Saliou Dia's men, who had previously gone 13 U20 AFCON games unbeaten before the Ghana defeat. Cheikh Tidiane Thiam, scorer of two goals so far, and Ibrahima Dieng, who netted a penalty in the last group match, remain crucial to Senegal's hopes. This quarter-final is a repeat of the 2015 final, which Nigeria won 1-0 in Dakar. But with both sides still finding their rhythm in Egypt, the game is wide open. Senegal will be hoping to become the first team to successfully defend the U20 AFCON title since Ghana did it in 2011. Nigeria, meanwhile, are chasing an eighth crown and a return to continental dominance after a semi-final exit in 2023. Kick-off is at 12:00 GMT on Monday at the Ismailia Stadium, and it promises to be a tactical chess match between two sides with history, hunger, and heavy expectations.
