Defending champions Senegal have suffered a significant setback ahead of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) as their first-choice goalkeeper Idris Ndiaye has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury.
Ndiaye sustained the injury during the final of the Senegal Cup while representing his club Generation Foot in their 1-0 victory over Jaraaf Dakar. Medical assessments have confirmed that the shot-stopper will not recover in time for the continental competition.
The injury has forced Senegal's head coach, Souleymane Diallo, to make a last-minute adjustment to his squad. Cheikh Lô Ndoye has received a late call-up as Ndiaye's replacement just days before Senegal's opening fixture against Nigeria.
According to team sources, Ndoye is expected to join the Senegalese camp in Zanzibar next Monday, giving him minimal preparation time before the crucial match against Nigeria's Home Eagles.
The highly anticipated clash between the defending champions and Nigeria is scheduled for next Tuesday at the Amman Stadium in Zanzibar. This match will be a critical test for both teams as they begin their CHAN 2024 campaigns.
Meanwhile, Nigeria's Home Eagles coach has expressed confidence in his team's preparation, stating that they are not intimidated by facing the defending champions in their opening fixture.
The African Nations Championship is a biennial tournament designed exclusively for players from domestic leagues across Africa, providing a platform to showcase local talent on the continental stage.
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