CAF Champions League Exclusively, Lamine N’Diaye Horoya Coach Very Motivated Against Piramid FC

Horoya is facing Egypt’s Pyramids FC this Tuesday in the CAF Confederation Cup Final 4. For Horoya coach Lamine N’Diaye, if the tournament format does not please him, his team will nevertheless reflect the game level.

In which mindset does Horoya tackle this semifinal?

Since June, we have been in a good state of mind. It is true that we are not necessarily in the same boat as our opponent who resumed their championship. But this was also the case for PSG during the Final 8 (editor’s note: UEFA Champions League). But the boys have a conquering spirit and a strong desire to do something good. The motivation remains intact.

The lack of competitive matches for several months will inevitably have an impact. How do you expect remedy to it?

We will see. We made opposition that was worth a lot of games. We can only deplore injuries here and there. And then there was the FIFA day where some of our players were on the move. We are lucky enough to get everyone back. But you know the travels on the continent and all that implies. But we are there.

Horoya had requested a return to the home/away format. But the CAF said no. Do you still think it’s an advantage for Moroccan clubs to play this Final 4 at home?

To me, that’s a double standard, as long as the Champions League we play matches home/away. There is no fairness. They should have asked the teams, “What do you prefer?” Even if there is no fans, Moroccan clubs are at least spared travel and all the hassle it involves. But we ignore all this and we prepare to do our best.

Is the loss of a player like Aristide Bancé detrimental to the club in a period like this?

We respected his choice. He knows very well that even if he could not play, his presence in the group is very important. He is a great professional. The team is missing him. We will do everything we can in order to remedy to his absence. It was his choice. I also think that his knee was bothering him so much that he could no longer bear the pain.

You have already won a CAF Champions League. What is the message you pass on to players before tackling such important games?

High-level games usually not require much at all. Little things that make the difference. We keep hammering it. They start understanding it, they are very professional. They pay attention to everything. They are motivated. But for most of them, this is the first time they are at this stage of the competition and they would like to go further. This is all I can wish them.


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