El Hadji Seck may have scored two goals in the round of 32 of the Belgian Cup, but it was not enough. The 19-year-old La Gantoise striker scored in the 38th and 61st minutes against Union Rochefortoise, bringing his team to 3-1. But the Ghent side, pegged back to 3-3, ultimately fell on penalties (4-3). It was the young Senegalese player’s third goal of the season across all competitions — an encouraging personal tally in a disappointing collective context.
French Ligue 2, a stage for the Lions
In France, the weekend was more rewarding for Senegalese players active in the second division. Laval defender Sidi Bane, 22, scored his first goal in his new colours — having joined the club last summer — to bring his team level at 3-3 in matchday 9, after trailing by three goals. A goal as symbolic as it was sporting, marking a return of confidence.
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In the same league, Cheikh Fall opened the scoring as early as the 6th minute for Pau FC against Guingamp. His team eventually won 2-1, delivering a precious victory for his club. Two Senegalese players, two different clubs, two direct contributions to the result: the Senegalese football pool continues to supply European second-tier divisions.
Shadows over the rest of the weekend
Lamine Camara’s AS Monaco suffered their first defeat of the season across all competitions, going down 1-0 to Lorient in Ligue 1. In Serbia, Frank Kanouté (Radnički Niš) was sent off as early as the 15th minute for accumulation of yellow cards during a heavy 0-3 defeat against Radnik, on matchday 12 of the Super Liga — an early dismissal that deprives his team of a midfielder for upcoming fixtures.
In England, the return of Habib Diarra was one of the weekend’s highlights. The Sunderland player had been absent since 3 August, the date on which he left the pitch injured after providing an assist. His reappearance did not, however, prevent his team from falling to Bournemouth on matchday 7 of the Premier League.
Krépin Diatta starts, Mamadou Sarr making progress
In the English Championship, Krépin Diatta made his first start in the colours of Watford, a club he joined last summer from AS Monaco. The Senegalese international right back played 66 minutes before being substituted, and his team won 2-0 against Charlton on matchday 11.
In the Spanish Liga, Mamadou Sarr continues to establish himself in Real Sociedad’s defensive partnership. The Senegalese defender is racking up starts and his team produced a commanding away performance in Malaga, winning 2-5.
This weekend illustrates the reality of a generation of Lions spread across numerous European leagues, from secondary divisions to top-level competitions: profiles still developing, integrations in progress, performances varying according to context. Monitoring these players will remain essential in the run-up to the national team’s next fixtures.
Source: APS (Agence de Presse Sénégalaise), 18 October 2024
