SNA off-season: Sinaly Diomandé, the Elephant with a solid defence
Sinaly Diomandé, the future leader of the Ivorian defence. The Auxerre defender has been growing in stature for years
Sport News Africa · Author profile ·
Listen to this story
Audio version in preparation · read aloud by your browser meanwhile
Yopougon can boast two prized representatives: the famous Aya, and Sinaly Diomandé. Born in this Abidjan district on 9 April 2001, the centre-back is now one of the best Ivorian players in his position. As well as his natural ability, he owes his quality to his training. He came through at the Jean-Marc Guillou academy in Abidjan, a jewel of Ivorian youth development that has also produced a number of big names.
Mali, then France
Sinaly Diomandé then left his native Ivory Coast for Mali, signing for Guidars FC. Olympique Lyonnais were taken with him and signed him in 2019. At the Lyon academy, his defensive qualities were judged to be exceptional. He quickly became a mainstay of the reserve side. The following season, life in the second string became too small for him. He moved up to the professional ranks, making his debut on 18 September 2020 aged 19. It was a convincing introduction, as he made his first start the following season.
Read also: SNA off-season: Odilon Kossounou, the skilful Ivorian defender
Used both as a centre-back and as a right-back, Sinaly Diomandé began to establish himself in the Lyon defence. The Yopougon-born player played 31 games in all competitions in his first season as a professional.
A modern-day Kolo Touré
For four seasons, Sinaly Diomandé was an important player for Lyon. But in the summer of 2024, the Ivorian rock decided to look elsewhere, with his contract having expired. He then joined Auxerre. With the Burgundy side, he has 14 appearances in all competitions. And the icing on the cake is that he has 2 goals and 2 assists to his name, adding a new dimension to his game.
Speaking of his game, Sinaly Diomandé has a lot in common with a celebrated former Ivorian defender: Kolo Touré. He knows how to defend hard against his man, goes for aerial and ground duels, is explosive, intercepts and tackles. Diomandé even has an edge over Yaya Touré's brother: pace. The Auxerre man can therefore build on all of this to forge a very fine career. At almost 24, maturity is close. Already capped 11 times by Ivory Coast, he has everything needed to be the leader of the Elephants' defence.