Latest news with #LionsofTeranga
CAF
4 days ago
- Sport
- CAF
Senegal
Defending champions Senegal return to the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship with a mission to retain their crown and reaffirm their dominance on the continental stage. Under the astute guidance of coach Souleymane Diallo, the Lions of Teranga bring a balanced squad rich in talent and determination. After a commanding qualification campaign, Senegal aims to make history by becoming one of the few teams to successfully defend the CHAN title. Factfile Nicknames : The Lions of Teranga : The Lions of Teranga Participations in CHAN : 2 (2011, 2022) : 2 (2011, 2022) Number of Titles : 1 (2022) : 1 (2022) Best Performance at CHAN: Winners (2022) How They Qualified Senegal earned their place at CHAN 2024 with an emphatic performance in the qualifiers. They dominated Liberia with a 3-0 victory in the first leg and sealed the deal with a 1-1 draw in the return leg, ensuring a smooth path to defend their title. Players to Watch Oumar Ba (Forward, US Gorée): A versatile forward, Oumar Ba's combination of physical prowess and exceptional positioning makes him a nightmare for defenders. Known for his aerial ability and quick decision-making, Ba is expected to be a central figure in Senegal's attacking play. His knack for finding the back of the net, coupled with his tactical intelligence, adds depth to the Lions' offensive strategy. Baye Assane Ciss: Ciss, a dynamic midfielder, is another standout performer for Senegal. His vision, precision in passing, and ability to control the tempo of the game are vital assets. Ciss's ability to transition quickly between defense and attack will be pivotal in Senegal's pursuit of retaining their title. Coach Souleymane Diallo: Having transitioned from the U20 coaching staff to helm the CHAN team, Souleymane Diallo has brought a fresh perspective to Senegalese football. A tactician known for his defensive rigor and fluid offensive transitions, Diallo emphasizes high pressing and collective gameplay. His adaptability in using formations like the 4-3-3 highlights his modern approach to football. Diallo is also deeply invested in nurturing young talent, ensuring a seamless integration of emerging players into the squad. What to Expect Senegal enters CHAN 2024 with the singular goal of defending their title. Their youthful and skilled squad reflects the federation's commitment to long-term development and maintaining their position at the pinnacle of African football. While the inexperience of some players may be a challenge, their talent and hunger to succeed are expected to compensate. The Lions of Teranga are set to deliver a blend of discipline and flair as they aim for back-to-back triumphs. Fan Zone Did You Know? The CHAN 2022 tournament catapulted Lamine Camara into the spotlight. Since then, he has become a key player for AS Monaco and the Senegal senior team, earning the CAF Young African Player of the Year award in both 2023 and 2024. Senegal is ready to roar once again in East Africa, showcasing their commitment to excellence and their ambition to solidify their legacy in CHAN history.
CAF
09-07-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Senegal turn up intensity as CHAN title defence nears
Senegal's preparations for their 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) title defence have taken a serious turn, with head coach Souleymane Diallo laying down clear tactical and selection markers following a pair of hard-fought friendlies against Guinea. The defending champions concluded their two-match series with a 1-0 victory in Diamniadio on Monday, following a goalless draw in the first leg. But for Diallo, it was less about the scoreline and more about readiness—both mentally and technically—as he seeks to sculpt a final squad capable of competing for back-to-back CHAN crowns. 'This wasn't a friendly series,' Diallo said bluntly after the win. 'We treated it like CHAN itself—intense, aggressive, and with high stakes. The players had to prove themselves under real pressure.' Senegal's defensive performance over the two matches earned praise, with the team maintaining clean sheets and limiting Guinea to minimal chances. 'We stayed compact, nullified their midfield movement, and looked for quick transitions,' he said. 'The players followed instructions well, and that's exactly what we need going into the tournament.' Yet it was Diallo's approach to squad selection that grabbed attention. With a provisional list of 35 players currently trimmed down to 29 in camp, he made it clear that only those who are eligible and fully available will make the final squad. 'We're not a fitness club or stepping stone for contract hunters,' he warned. 'If a player is planning to leave for a trial abroad, he's out. The national team is for those committed to wearing the jersey during the tournament, not those using it as a platform for personal deals.' He revealed that several players had already exited the group after internal monitoring revealed they were exploring overseas options during the CHAN tournament window. 'We investigate thoroughly,' Diallo noted. 'And if there's any doubt about availability, we don't waste time.' The match series against Guinea provided exactly the kind of resistance Senegal's coaching staff was looking for. 'Guinea was no easy opponent,' Diallo admitted. 'They're quick, technically gifted, and dangerous between the lines. We leave with key insights—not just about them, but about our own readiness.' As Senegal head into the final stretch of their preparations, tactical fine-tuning and squad cohesion will dominate the agenda. With the tournament co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda from August 2–30, the Lions of Teranga are bracing for a challenging Group C, which includes Uganda, Guinea, Niger, and South Africa. But Diallo is clear: CHAN isn't about glamour or individual brilliance. It's about grit, team identity, and tactical commitment. And only those who buy into that vision will board the plane.
Leader Live
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
There's lots to get better – Thomas Tuchel demands improvement from England
Boos greeted the half-time and final whistles in Barcelona after the 6,950 travelling fans witnessed a forgettable and frustrating display against the side sat 173rd in FIFA's world rankings. Only three European nations are placed lower than Andorra, who dug deep and had a couple of half-chances on a night when Harry Kane's 50th-minute goal was the difference as England edged the Group K qualifier 1-0. Aiming for a better performance on Tuesday 💪 — England (@England) June 8, 2025 The Euro 2024 runners-up 'got away with it' according to Kane and head coach Tuchel was surprised by the team's 'lack of attitude' in the final stages of both halves. 'The last half-an-hour I don't like it all because I think we lacked everything that is needed in a World Cup qualifier,' Tuchel said. 'There's lots to get better. At the moment everything is a learning (period) so we're smarter than before. 'We have the minimum, the points in our pocket, and we will talk about it honestly and directly and try to do it better.' Put to the England head coach, who wants the side to play Premier League-style football, that Saturday's performance showed Rome was not built in a day, he told BBC Radio 5 Live: 'Absolutely. 'It is in the moment a learning (period), it's our second camp. I think we can do much better, we have to do much better, all of us, and that includes me, and from there we go. 'In the moment we have nine points and on Tuesday we have a very strong opponent (in Senegal) to do things better. 'It always takes two to tango, but we need to do better and breaking down deep opponents. We played now three times against a 5-4-1, but there are no excuses. 'The lack of counter-pressing and the lack of ball wins and the lack of being aggressive in duels is basic in football. 'If you don't show this, then it becomes more or less a game that we saw, which is not attractive, which does not have the quality that we wish and that we want to show to our supporters, who were absolutely amazing and outstanding, so there's a lot to do and from there we go.' England returned home from Spain straight after Saturday's game as attention turns to Tuesday's friendly against Senegal at the City Ground in Nottingham. The Lions of Teranga sit 19th in the world rankings and are comfortably the toughest test Tuchel has faced since taking charge at the start of the year. The England boss is looking forward to facing Senegal but says the Andorra match cannot be swept under the carpet given the limited opportunities to prepare for next summer's World Cup. Our best is still to come! Important win away from home, onto the next 🦁🦁🦁 — Harry Kane (@HKane) June 7, 2025 'I don't forget because there's not so many matches,' Tuchel said. 'I think it's necessary that we have a good look at it and then present in detail to the players what we don't like, and to present it in a video session what we have to do better and what are the standards and what we did good. 'It's not a day where we just say, 'OK, we have the result and let's keep on going'. We have not enough time to do this. We have not enough matches to do that.'
South Wales Guardian
08-06-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
There's lots to get better – Thomas Tuchel demands improvement from England
Boos greeted the half-time and final whistles in Barcelona after the 6,950 travelling fans witnessed a forgettable and frustrating display against the side sat 173rd in FIFA's world rankings. Only three European nations are placed lower than Andorra, who dug deep and had a couple of half-chances on a night when Harry Kane's 50th-minute goal was the difference as England edged the Group K qualifier 1-0. Aiming for a better performance on Tuesday 💪 — England (@England) June 8, 2025 The Euro 2024 runners-up 'got away with it' according to Kane and head coach Tuchel was surprised by the team's 'lack of attitude' in the final stages of both halves. 'The last half-an-hour I don't like it all because I think we lacked everything that is needed in a World Cup qualifier,' Tuchel said. 'There's lots to get better. At the moment everything is a learning (period) so we're smarter than before. 'We have the minimum, the points in our pocket, and we will talk about it honestly and directly and try to do it better.' Put to the England head coach, who wants the side to play Premier League-style football, that Saturday's performance showed Rome was not built in a day, he told BBC Radio 5 Live: 'Absolutely. 'It is in the moment a learning (period), it's our second camp. I think we can do much better, we have to do much better, all of us, and that includes me, and from there we go. 'In the moment we have nine points and on Tuesday we have a very strong opponent (in Senegal) to do things better. 'It always takes two to tango, but we need to do better and breaking down deep opponents. We played now three times against a 5-4-1, but there are no excuses. 'The lack of counter-pressing and the lack of ball wins and the lack of being aggressive in duels is basic in football. 'If you don't show this, then it becomes more or less a game that we saw, which is not attractive, which does not have the quality that we wish and that we want to show to our supporters, who were absolutely amazing and outstanding, so there's a lot to do and from there we go.' England returned home from Spain straight after Saturday's game as attention turns to Tuesday's friendly against Senegal at the City Ground in Nottingham. The Lions of Teranga sit 19th in the world rankings and are comfortably the toughest test Tuchel has faced since taking charge at the start of the year. The England boss is looking forward to facing Senegal but says the Andorra match cannot be swept under the carpet given the limited opportunities to prepare for next summer's World Cup. Our best is still to come! Important win away from home, onto the next 🦁🦁🦁 — Harry Kane (@HKane) June 7, 2025 'I don't forget because there's not so many matches,' Tuchel said. 'I think it's necessary that we have a good look at it and then present in detail to the players what we don't like, and to present it in a video session what we have to do better and what are the standards and what we did good. 'It's not a day where we just say, 'OK, we have the result and let's keep on going'. We have not enough time to do this. We have not enough matches to do that.'
South Wales Argus
08-06-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
There's lots to get better – Thomas Tuchel demands improvement from England
Boos greeted the half-time and final whistles in Barcelona after the 6,950 travelling fans witnessed a forgettable and frustrating display against the side sat 173rd in FIFA's world rankings. Only three European nations are placed lower than Andorra, who dug deep and had a couple of half-chances on a night when Harry Kane's 50th-minute goal was the difference as England edged the Group K qualifier 1-0. Aiming for a better performance on Tuesday 💪 — England (@England) June 8, 2025 The Euro 2024 runners-up 'got away with it' according to Kane and head coach Tuchel was surprised by the team's 'lack of attitude' in the final stages of both halves. 'The last half-an-hour I don't like it all because I think we lacked everything that is needed in a World Cup qualifier,' Tuchel said. 'There's lots to get better. At the moment everything is a learning (period) so we're smarter than before. 'We have the minimum, the points in our pocket, and we will talk about it honestly and directly and try to do it better.' Put to the England head coach, who wants the side to play Premier League-style football, that Saturday's performance showed Rome was not built in a day, he told BBC Radio 5 Live: 'Absolutely. 'It is in the moment a learning (period), it's our second camp. I think we can do much better, we have to do much better, all of us, and that includes me, and from there we go. 'In the moment we have nine points and on Tuesday we have a very strong opponent (in Senegal) to do things better. 'It always takes two to tango, but we need to do better and breaking down deep opponents. We played now three times against a 5-4-1, but there are no excuses. 'The lack of counter-pressing and the lack of ball wins and the lack of being aggressive in duels is basic in football. 'If you don't show this, then it becomes more or less a game that we saw, which is not attractive, which does not have the quality that we wish and that we want to show to our supporters, who were absolutely amazing and outstanding, so there's a lot to do and from there we go.' England returned home from Spain straight after Saturday's game as attention turns to Tuesday's friendly against Senegal at the City Ground in Nottingham. The Lions of Teranga sit 19th in the world rankings and are comfortably the toughest test Tuchel has faced since taking charge at the start of the year. The England boss is looking forward to facing Senegal but says the Andorra match cannot be swept under the carpet given the limited opportunities to prepare for next summer's World Cup. Our best is still to come! Important win away from home, onto the next 🦁🦁🦁 — Harry Kane (@HKane) June 7, 2025 'I don't forget because there's not so many matches,' Tuchel said. 'I think it's necessary that we have a good look at it and then present in detail to the players what we don't like, and to present it in a video session what we have to do better and what are the standards and what we did good. 'It's not a day where we just say, 'OK, we have the result and let's keep on going'. We have not enough time to do this. We have not enough matches to do that.'
