TIMELINE: From AFCON to CHAN — how Senegal dominated African football in 2 years

Senegal have always been a formidable force throughout the rich history of African football. The country’s opulently coloured flag drapes high among the list of footballing royalties that the continent parades. The Teranga Lions’ giant-killing feat at the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan remained one of the most inspirational moments at the Mundial. The West African country has also been a conveyor belt for talents in world football.

But for all Senegal’s footballing prestige, the country’s men’s senior national team did not win a major trophy until 61 years after it played its first-ever football match as an independent nation.

The country won the 2022 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), and the moment was a culmination point for a decades-long investment and revitalisation of its football.

When Senegal finally secured its first-ever AFCON trophy — after years of falling short — it sparked a ripple effect that spiralled down to the lowest age-grade categories of footballers and a revolution that inspired the country’s total domination of African football between 2022 and 2023.

— 🏆🇸🇳 #TotalEnergiesAFCON title holders.
— 🏆🇸🇳 #TotalEnergiesCHAN title holders.
— 🏆🇸🇳 #BSAFCON title holders.

Senegal are the 1st nation to win all 3 major CAF continental titles! 🔥

They made it more special by being the reigning champions for all of them at the same time. pic.twitter.com/gyuvoRbyKD

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— CAF (@CAF_Online) February 5, 2023

2022 AFCON CHAMPION

Senegal lost the final of the 2019 AFCON to Algeria. A lone goal was the difference; it was the second time the country would finish just short of the continental prize. The nation kept faith in Aliou Cisse as the head coach. Cisse, the captain of legendary Senegal’s 2022 World Cup team, was appointed in 2015, and his first few years were a topsy-turvy period.

He led the team to the 2022 AFCON in Cameroon with stars like Sadio Mane, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Eduard Mendy.

The impact of the talents was not immediately felt as the Teranga Lions went past the group stage with one win and one goal from three games.

The team found its scoring boot in the knockout stage. Cape Verde, Equatorial Guinea and Burkina Faso conceded eight cumulative goals as Senegal proceeded to the final to face Egypt.

After a nervy goalless regular time, the Lions claimed victory in a thrilling 4-2 penalty shootout.

In a chat with FIFA after the triumph, Cisse revealed the secret behind the success. He also spoke about a footballing revolution in the country.

“If you look at the number of foreign coaches at the 2019 AFCON compared to the 2022 AFCON, you notice that the number of homegrown coaches increased,” he said.

“It means that we have been training technicians and skilled technicians. Now, I think it is important to keep going further in terms of enhancing our techniques and abilities and strengthening our technical departments.”

📅 February 6th 2022

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🇸🇳 Senegal took the #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 trophy home for the first time in history! 🏆

Take a look at this thread to find out how they did it! 👇@Fsfofficielle pic.twitter.com/sS9h85ida1

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— CAF (@CAF_Online) February 21, 2022

2022 AFCON BEACH SOCCER CHAMPION

A few months later, Senegal became champions of the 2022 Africa Beach Soccer Cup of Nations. It was the country’s fourth consecutive triumph in the competition and its seventh overall.

Senegal dominated all their opposition, beating Uganda 10-1 in the group’s opening game before scoring another eight past Madagascar.

The Lions defeated Egypt in the final. Senegal’s Mandione Diagne finished as the tournament’s top goalscorer and best player while teammate Al Seyni Ndiaye was also adjudged the best goalkeeper.

A #BSAFCON tradition 😉

🇸🇳 Senegal lift the trophy once again 🏆#BSAFCON2022 | @Fsfofficielle pic.twitter.com/0NEb88LrLq

— CAF (@CAF_Online) October 29, 2022

AFRICAN NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP (CHAN) 2023

Senagal hiked the momentum into 2023 and won its first-ever CHAN trophy — a competition for home-based players across Africa.

The Senegalese defeated the host Algeria 6-5 on penalties in the final.

Senegal’s Pape Thiaw was named the best coach of the competition, while teammate Pape Mamadou Sy was the goalkeeper of the tournament.

2023 AFCON U20 CHAMPIONS

In March, Senegal added another maiden trophy to its cabinet. The country won the 2023 U20 AFCON in Egypt. They achieved the feat without conceding a single goal.

The Senegalese swept the individual awards for the competition, with the golden boot, ball and glove going to their players.

Malick Daf was adjudged the best coach of the tourney.

A very good morning for the #TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 champions! ☀️ pic.twitter.com/2CQwTpwd20

— CAF (@CAF_Online) March 12, 2023

2023 AFCON U17 CHAMPIONS

Another first-ever trophy followed in May after the Teranga Cubs roared to the 2023 AFCON U17 Cup in Algeria.

The team did not concede until the semi-final. The Cubs were also a free-scoring crop of players with a cumulative 15 goals throughout the tourney.

Amara Diouf won the golden boot, while teammate Serigne Diouf was named the best goalkeeper.

🇸🇳➡️🥇
🇲🇦➡️🥈
🇧🇫➡️🥉

Say hello to the 2023 #TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 medalists 👏 pic.twitter.com/UpTDs7UwZL

— CAF (@CAF_Online) May 20, 2023

No African country has held all these trophies in the same period. The reels of achievement confirm Senegal as the new hegemony of African football.

The big question now is: “Who can stop them?”

Photo credit: AP/Sunday Alamba