On the eve of the start of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Senegal's national team goalkeeper, Yehvann Diouf, spoke candidly about the Lions' preparation and the stakes of the first match. His speech blended confidence, humility, and realism.

The Senegalese goalkeeper first highlighted the particular difficulty of opening matches in a major tournament. "A first match is always special. Entering an AFCON is never easy," he acknowledged. Despite this, Yehvann Diouf expressed confidence in the team's preparation. The Lions have been training for several months and feel ready to take on the challenge. "We can't wait for the competition to start," he stated.

When asked about the relatively short preparation time, the goalkeeper explained that the team had to adapt to a revised schedule. Having arrived a little later than expected, the players would certainly have liked more time. "The training camp was initially scheduled earlier, but there were adjustments with FIFA," he clarified. However, he put this situation into perspective, pointing out that all national teams were in the same boat. "We're starting on an equal footing," he emphasized.

Aware of the high level of competition, Yehvann Diouf emphasizes the importance of humility. The Africa Cup of Nations remains a very competitive tournament, with many quality teams. For the Lions' goalkeeper, the key to success lies in discipline, concentration, and total commitment. "To go all the way, we'll have to give it our all," he concludes.