Beach soccer: Al Seyni Ndiaye, confessions of a seven-time African champion
Al Seyni Ndiaye: "When Chita came to tell me they had to play the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations, I said to him..."
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Senegal beach soccer goalkeeper Al Seyni Ndiaye has looked back on the Africa Cup of Nations beach soccer final on 28 October against Egypt, on the programme Talents d’Afrique on Canal+.
“ It wasn't an easy game. The Egyptians came out looking for revenge because we beat them at the COSAFA tournament in South Africa and in the group stage. They were also motivated by their first qualification for the World Cup, which is why the final was tough. It's the first time Senegal have won an Africa Cup of Nations final on penalties. We already knew the competition would be tough, but with our determination and commitment, we retained our African champions title”, explained Al Seyni Ndiaye.
From novice to Africa's best goalkeeper
With 150 caps for the national team, the Senegal captain has been named best goalkeeper at the beach soccer AFCON seven times. Yet when Al Seyni Ndiaye joined Ibrahima Ndiaye “Chita”'s squad in 2007 for the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, he had only just discovered the sport.
“I started beach soccer at the age of 17. It was Ibrahima Ndiaye “Chita” who brought me into the squad because the goalkeeper who was supposed to go didn't have a passport. When Chita came to tell me they had to play the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations, I said to him, 'What's beach soccer?' He explained everything to me and I had two weeks of preparation. I was named best goalkeeper of the Africa Cup of Nations even though I didn't even know the rules”, the Senegal goalkeeper said teasingly.
“ Give everything for the Beach Soccer World Cup ”
After their latest Africa Cup of Nations beach soccer triumph, the Lions of the Sand will have to work even harder to improve on the fourth place they achieved at last year's World Cup, after losing to Switzerland in the third-place play-off. “ Our secret is hard work and we will keep that momentum going to prepare calmly for the World Cup. Our goal is to bring the trophy back to Senegal ”, concluded Al Seyni Ndiaye.
The next Beach Soccer World Cup will take place in 2023. Ibrahima Ndiaye “Chita”, the team's general manager and the man who introduced the sport in Senegal, promises solid technical and physical preparation for the team from January. “We know where we're going and what we have to do. We're going to take stock and fix the weaknesses on both the technical and tactical side”, said “Chita”.