Saliou Dia, the head coach of Senegal, claims that his squad is not under any pressure as they prepare for their TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semifinal matchup against Burkina Faso on Sunday evening in Annaba.
Most people have selected the Senegalese as potential title contenders because they are undefeated in the competition and have not given up a goal.
Coach Dia claims that despite expectations, the team has not felt burdened.
Read Also:AFCON U17: Ugbade Refuse To Criticize Eaglets Players
“I have no pressure going into the game. I was the first coach to give Senegal a continental title when we won the African Games in 2015 and we beat Burkina Faso in the semis, so I am not under any pressure,” says the coach.
He adds; “My only concern is these players and whether they can produce good football. Everyone is appreciating what we are doing here and we want to keep fighting and continue to the final.”
The strategist claims that the matchup with former winners Burkina Faso, who have already made it to the final three times, will be more difficult.
However, he believes that his team has gained confidence over the course of the last four games they have played and should present a strong game plan to win.
“It is not an easy match and they are opponents that we must take very seriously.
For us, the matches that we have played are behind us and we must not think about them.
We are taking a match at a time and now all focus is on this semi-final,” further noted the coach.
He claims that the two teams are acquainted with one another because they competed against one another in a mini-tournament in Morocco before leaving for Algeria.
“We know each other well and at the end, it will be the team which is more determined, more motivated and wants to write history that will carry the day.
“They beat us in Morocco and we have an idea of our shortcomings and what to do better,” the tactician stated.
Senegal, following the lead of West Africans in recent years, is aiming to win another piece of continental silverware.
Their home team won the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) in January, while their U20 squad just won the AFCON championship in Egypt. This strengthens their BEACH AFCON Crown and senior AFCON title from 2021.
The Parma development squad midfielder Abdou-Salam Konate, who is based in Italy, claims that recent success would not put them under pressure but will instead serve as inspiration.
“These achievements have been a driving force for us in the last four games and it will not be different against Burkina Faso.
“We remain united and focused, working as a team to achieve our target,” noted Konate.
He continues by saying that because they have already left their faultless performances in the past games behind them, they do not have a tendency to become overconfident.
For the first time ever, the Teranga Cubs are participating in the tournament semi-finals.