Senegal head coach Souleymane Diallo has dismissed talk of pressure as his side prepares to face Nigeria’s Super Eagles B in tonight’s high-stakes CHAN 2025 Group D opener in Zanzibar, Footynaija.com reports.
The reigning champions are set to lock horns with Nigeria at the Amaan Stadium by 6 PM Nigerian time, in what will be the first-ever CHAN meeting between both West African giants.
While much of the pre-match attention has focused on whether the Teranga Lions can defend their 2022 crown, Diallo insists his team is focused on rewriting history and not just reliving it.
“Thanks for reminding me of our success in Algeria,” Diallo said when asked about the weight of expectation, as revealed in a report by Complete Sports.
“The players are cautious of their mission and our performance last time out only serves as a source of motivation for us.”
The Lions’ head coach insists his side does not feel burdened by their champion status, instead seeing the competition as a fresh challenge.
“Entering this competition as defending champions doesn’t add any pressure on us as many may think. We won the previous trophy and it’s in our cabinet. We rather feel we have been given a responsibility and we are ready to face the realities of our status.”
Nigeria’s home-based Eagles, led by coach Éric Chelle and captained by Nduka Junior, return to the tournament after missing the last two editions. Having seen off Ghana 3–1 on aggregate in the qualifiers, the squad set up camp in Ikenne, Ogun State, before flying out to East Africa with optimism and growing local support.
“We are not here to defend the trophy in our keeping,” Diallo declared. “We came to try to win another trophy, but for that we have to set the first objective which is qualifying from the group.”
Senegal, who have never lost a CHAN match to West African opposition in regular time, are grouped alongside Nigeria, Sudan, and Congo. Yet the coach insists there are no favourites in African football anymore.
“These days, African football doesn’t provide for teams to be classed as favourites. That is why we respect all the teams in our group,” he said.
“Sudan, Congo or Nigeria all have players that have earned the right to be in this competition. They are all good and respected by us.”
Senegal enter tonight’s clash on the back of mixed warm-up results, including narrow defeats to Tanzania and Uganda during a CECAFA-hosted mini-tournament.