Scoring twice and being named man of the match against Botswana (3-0), Nicolas Jackson may have definitively convinced even the most skeptical about his status as a starter in the highly coveted position of centre-forward in the Senegal team.

El Hadji Diouf, the former Senegalese striker, as eccentric as he is fantastic, hasn't lost his knack for the unexpected. Answering a question about the advice he gives to striker Nicolas Jackson, whom he sees daily, the former Lens player quipped: "I tell him to enjoy himself and to give a lot of pleasure because it's a job that doesn't last forever. People only remember one thing: the joy you brought to their eyes."

Lions fans will undoubtedly remember Jackson's second goal in the 3-0 victory against Botswana for a long time. Set up by Ismaïla Sarr, the Bayern Munich striker, after a slightly heavy first touch, cut inside where most would have shot, beating both the defender and the goalkeeper before calmly slotting the ball home. A goal full of composure, technical precision, and, above all, newfound confidence. A move that brought the entire stadium to its feet, a symbol of a player finally daring to take risks, free from his doubts.

A goal counter that remained at zero for a long time

However, Nicolas Jackson's journey with the national team hasn't been a smooth ride. While he scored the opening goal against Botswana, he hasn't always been so decisive and skillful in the national jersey. He even had to wait until his 17th cap to finally open his goalscoring account for the Lions. Against Botswana, most fans probably thought they were seeing the return of the "clumsy Jackson" after his first miss, a one-on-one opportunity in the 4th minute.

But it seems the Banjul (Gambia) native has grown mentally, learning to manage pressure and turn adversity into strength. "I've matured," he confided after receiving his man-of-the-match trophy. "I'm not the same Nicolas I used to be. We're strikers, sometimes we miss chances. After missing that opportunity, I put it behind me and focused on the next one because I know I'll get another chance. I redoubled my efforts and got a few more. I scored two, even though it's never quite enough."

This evolution also bears the mark of his coach, Pape Thiaw, who has made him a regular starter since taking the helm of the Lions. "He's a player who thrives on confidence, and these two goals will give him a lot of confidence," he believes. Now, that confidence has been repaid: Nicolas Jackson boasts an impressive record of six goals and two assists in his last five starts for Senegal. These figures perfectly illustrate the transformation of a striker now ready to carry the hopes of an entire nation dreaming of a second star.