Senegal Coach Goals to Make Historical past In opposition to Nigeria in U20 AFCON Quarterfinal

Senegal U20 head coach Serigne Saliou Dia says his staff is able to create new historical past as they face Nigeria in an important quarterfinal match on the ongoing U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Monday.

The winner of the match is not going to solely attain the semi-finals but in addition qualify for the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, making the conflict much more essential. The 2 West African rivals have a robust soccer historical past, and this match provides one other chapter.

Nigeria defeated Senegal 1-0 within the 2015 U20 AFCON ultimate in Dakar, and Coach Dia is hoping to alter the story this time.

“It is a battle of soccer kinds,” Dia advised CAF. “Each groups play with depth and satisfaction. However now, we wish to write our personal model of historical past.”

Senegal had a tricky begin within the group stage however bounced again with a key win over DR Congo to achieve the final eight. Dia praised his gamers for his or her willpower.

“This staff was formed by robust instances,” he mentioned. “We wanted these challenges to turn into stronger. We mirrored, we regrouped, and we got here again higher.”

Talking concerning the turning level, Dia added, “I noticed the change of their eyes earlier than the match towards DR Congo. They had been filled with confidence and able to combat.”

Because the match approaches, Nigeria’s head coach Aliyu Zubairu shall be hoping to repeat the 2015 success and take the Flying Eagles nearer to a different continental title and a spot on the World Cup.