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2023 African Games: Senegal’s Thiam acknowledges challenges after big loss to Nigeria

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2023 African Games: Senegal’s Thiam acknowledges challenges after big loss to Nigeria

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Senegal U-20 women’s national team coach, Mbayang Thiam, acknowledges the challenges ahead following their heavy defeat against Nigeria in the group stage of the 2023 African Games.

Goals from Loveth Edeh, Motunrayo Ezekiel, an own goal by Aicha Kales, and Chioma Olise lifted the Falconets to a 4-0 victory and a place in the semi-final of the women’s football event.

Despite the setback, Thiam remains focused on refining her young team’s performance.

“We didn’t see this heavy defeat coming. The results don’t reflect the game,” Thiam emphasized.

Thiam emphasizes the need for improvements in defense and attack, highlighting the team’s youth and the mental impact of the referee’s decisions.

With zero points from their first group game, Senegal still has their destiny in their hands.

They have to first cancel a two-goal deficit against Morocco in their deciding group clash after Nigeria had defeated Morocco 2-0 in their opening group match.

The Senegalese coach stressed the importance of learning from this defeat and bouncing back stronger in their upcoming matches.

“Our focus now is on regrouping and addressing the areas that need improvement. We need to learn from this experience and come back stronger in our next match against Morocco,” Thiam stated.

Senegal’s hopes of advancing to the semi-finals remain alive, but they face a daunting task ahead against Morocco. Thiam and her team are determined to put in a better performance and secure a positive result to keep their tournament dreams alive.

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Oluwaseun Oyediji
Oluwaseun Babatunde Oyediji is a multi-media sports journalist with over 10 years experience in Information Communication Technology (ICT), women's football, and beach soccer reportage.The prolific writer is the Media Assistant to Nigeria Beach Soccer League and Africa Beach Soccer Union as well as contributor on Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) website.He has covered multiple national and international football tournaments including Championship of African Nations (CHAN 2020), CAF Women's Champions League (2023), and Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2023).Since 2021, Oyediji has covered the NWFL Premiership especially the season ending Super Six Playoffs.A member of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Ogun state chapter is also the image maker of the Remo Sports Development Council under the leadership of Chief Falilat Ogunkoya and David Osuolale.
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