CHAN: Senegal ready to give everything against Uganda – Diallo

Senegal head coach Souleymane Diallo has admitted they will face a huge task against Uganda in the quarterfinals of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Kampala on Saturday.

While the Cranes reached the knockout stages after topping Group C with seven points, the Lions of Teranga finished second in Group D with five points, conceding just one goal — evidence of their defensive steel.

“We know it will be a tough match. Uganda is well-organised and playing at home, which gives them an extra boost,” said Diallo as quoted by CAFOnline.com. “We faced them in a friendly in Tanzania, but this is different — a knockout game where there are only two options: win and move on, or lose and go home. We are ready to give everything.”

Senegal will play the game without suspended defender Yaya Ly, but Diallo believes he has a strong squad depth to pick from his replacement.

“We have a balanced squad with players capable of stepping up. Yes, this is a relatively new group with only one player from the previous title-winning squad, but that doesn’t diminish our ambition. We’ve worked hard to get here and will fight for this victory,” he added.

Senegal forward Pape Abasse Badji said: “We know this will be a tough game. Uganda is organised and hard to play against, but we’ll follow the coach’s plan and give everything on the pitch. Insha Allah, we’ll get the win.”

The winner of this epic quarter-final will advance to the semi-finals to face Morocco, who reached the last four after beating hosts Tanzania 1-0 at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Friday.