CHAN: Senegal delivered excellent display in Uganda win – Diallo

Senegal coach Souleymane Diallo credited mental preparation and strategic clarity for their success to eliminate hosts Uganda from the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) following a 1-0 win in a tense quarterfinal clash at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Kampala on Saturday.

The decisive strike arrived in the 62nd minute when Oumar Ba found the back of the net as the Lions of Teranga silenced a passionate home crowd of over 35,000, and remained in contention to defend their crown.

“Tonight we delivered an excellent performance against a very good Uganda team. High-level football demands a lot. One of the key factors for performance is the mental aspect. All the players were prepared and focused,” Diallo said as quoted by CAFOnline.com.

“We had to make strategic decisions during the game, asking our strong players to win the first aerial duel and then guide the second. I feel they did this very well, especially in the last ten minutes.”

The defeat by Senegal meant all the three hosting East African sides had gone out of the CHAN. Kenya were the first to go out following a 4-3 penalty shootout defeat after a 1-1 draw in normal and extra-time against Madagascar while Tanzania suffered a 1-0 defeat against Morocco in the laser eight contest.