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CHAN 2024: Souleymane Diallo credits team cohesion for Senegal win over Nigeria

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CHAN 2024: Souleymane Diallo credits team cohesion for Senegal win over Nigeria

By Wale Mustapha

Senegal head coach Souleymane Diallo has attributed his side’s 1–0 win over Nigeria at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) to tactical discipline and collective effort.

The Teranga Lions edged the Group D encounter on Tuesday night at the Amman Stadium in Zanzibar, with Christian Gomis netting the decisive goal in the 75th minute after capitalising on a defensive error by the Super Eagles.

Despite Nigeria enjoying greater possession, Senegal’s pressing game and defensive organisation proved decisive in a tightly contested fixture.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Diallo praised his players for executing the game plan with intelligence and unity.

“What worked for us against Nigeria was team solidarity,” Diallo said.

“We played like a team—high press, counter-press, compact blocks. The players showed character and intelligence.”

The victory places defending champions Senegal at the top of Group D.

They will next face Congo, while Nigeria take on Sudan in a must-win clash next Tuesday at the same venue.

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Samuel Ahmadu
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.
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