In a country where everything seems depressing, and where the economy has virtually ground to a halt thanks to a new government that is flexing its muscles and wanting to shoot at anything that moves, a Lions of Senegal match is the perfect recreation. There’s nothing like a big clash between football-mad nations to provide a little motivation for the country’s prevailing disorder and gloom.

Tabaski is around the corner, but the stands at Diamniadio’s President Abdoulaye Wade Stadium have rarely been so empty for any of the matches that have taken place there. As the match progressed, the stands filled up, but nothing crazy.

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A twisted mind will tell me that part of the youth was caught up in following the revolutionary monologue of “Rosso’s Tintin”, Juan Branco, who came to profess lessons in democratic courage and revolutionary passion at the Cices. This time, he’ll take the precaution of entering our borders legally. There’s no need for him to try his hand at the dangerous life, since his friends are in business. We have been spared the fact that the University of Dakar becomes the scene of yet another circus by another prince, after Mélenchon who came to bring his controversial words.

Back to our match. On the grandstand side, the 12th Gaindé supporters’ group “Allez Casa” and Asc Lébou Gui were in perfect symbiosis. Between percussion and frenzied rhythms, each of the supporters’ groups, each appropriating a colour from the national flag, set the tone for the match. In the southern section, a group of Congolese supporters is well established.

90 minutes of warlike soccer between the men of captains Kalidou Koulibaly and Chancel Mbemba. They are reminiscent, in a funny way, with the seriousness of their role, the two men’s captains, Mark Landers and Olivier Attone, of the famous soccer anime “Captain Tsubasa”.

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Coach Aliou Cissé is in training with the Lions for a hundredth time. This centurion, who has withstood all forms of criticism and adversity, has steered the team to many victories. It’s a pity that victory was not to be (1-1).

Everything that makes us good Senegalese fans (spectators) is on the menu. The impatience at every action, our impertinent comments at every loss of ball, the thousands of coaches doing and re-doing the action, ready to grab “El Tactico” by the throat. As with all things beautiful, excess is not far away. Someone in his forties, the epitome of youth at the helm, showered an older man with insults for who knows what reason. I saw the virulent new opponent Oumar Sow come between the two to call for calm. Quite an image!

On the pitch, our Lions struggled for the majority of the match, with occasional bright spells. The goals came thanks to the “legs” of Ismaïla Sarr and Fiston Mayele, for a share of the spoils.

The fans were able to share in the joy of a team that is still finding its feet and making a smooth transition from one generation to the next. Defensive solidity, as always, was the order of the day. Rocks Kalidou Koulibaly and Abdoulaye Seck saved Senegal’s fortunes on several occasions. There’s still work to be done before we can secure a ticket to the 2026 North American World Cup.

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Sadio Mané and Nampalys Mendy were missing in this clash, but they could have been in the stands to support their comrades. A magic of Diamniadio’s President Abdoulaye Wade Stadium was also missing from the match.

Despite the draw with Congo, the Lions will have given a breath of fresh air to a country in search of a better future. It’s still a source of pride for this nation, despite all the confusion…

By Serigne Saliou DIAGNE / saliou.diagne@lequotidien.sn

  • Translation by Ndey T. SOSSEH