There are some destinies that nothing seems able to divert from their path. Amina Dieng's is one of them. Although she was unable to become a professional footballer as she dreamed of as a child, she is today one of the most committed figures in the development of women's football in Senegal.

Football is everything to her and her commitment to its development in Senegal is total. "All my activities revolve around sport, especially football. Football is my life," she says.

She discovered the sport at the age of 7, in her neighborhood, playing with the boys. An almost innate passion, nurtured by a father who was also a football fan, with whom she watched matches.

But very early on, things became more complicated. Those around her encouraged her to focus more on her studies and household chores than on running after a ball. This didn't discourage her in the slightest. Amina persevered. She redoubled her efforts at school and obtained excellent grades.

However, despite the pressure, sometimes even moral and verbal abuse, Amina does not give up. She makes a promise to herself to become someone in sports.

To achieve this goal, she trained for four years at the Formation en études et en sport (FOJES) academy, run by Khadidiatou, former president of the FSF Women's Commission and president of the Sirènes de Grand-Yoff. She then joined Cap des Biches, a second-division club based in Keur Mbaye Fall, where she was coached by a man respectfully known as "Tons".

Her fondest memory as a player remains etched in her mind. It's her very first official match at the Ngalandou Diouf stadium, against Atlantique de Rufisque, where she scored a goal directly from a corner. A moment of pure joy and the reward for so much effort and sacrifice.

But fate had other plans. A long and serious illness abruptly ended her career. The day the doctor told her she would never play football again would remain the most painful moment of her life. She cried for months. Her dream of becoming a professional footballer crumbled.

However, Amina refuses to give up on sports. "I told myself that I wouldn't leave the world of football because of an illness," she recalls. "If I can no longer serve on the field, I will serve in another way."

After a failed attempt at working in her uncle's construction company, which didn't fulfill her, she decided to forge her own path, despite the criticism and discouraging words. She trained, committed herself, worked behind the scenes… and patiently built her career change.

It was also at this time that her adventure in sports journalism began. Her transition to the media came naturally, driven by her passion for analyzing the game. She started by regularly posting match analyses on Facebook. Her insightful perspective caught the attention of journalist Mame Fatou Ndoye, who invited her to participate in a trailer for a show called "Faral sa Foot" (Take Care of Your Football). This first experience opened doors for her on television. She went on to appear regularly, spending nearly four years at 13TV, then two years at Dsport, before joining Galaxy Sport, where she currently works as a coordinator.

Today, Amina Dieng is a respected leader in Senegalese football. She is the general manager of the Génération Foot women's team, president of the Women's Commission of the Dakar Football League, president of the MMD association, which works for the development of women's football, and a member of the Marketing and Communication Commission of the Professional Football League.

Recently, she applied for the position of president of the FSF Women's Commission, where she finished second.

Through her association, she already shares her experience with young female players through leadership training for women and mental health awareness, and leads workshops on the importance of balancing studies, sports, and culture. For her, a footballer's career is short, and career transition planning must begin very early.

Today, Amina acknowledges the progress of Senegalese women's football, particularly the creation of the U15, U17 and U20 national teams. But she also points out the many areas that still need to be addressed: more clubs, better match conditions, women's sections in major clubs, a 100% female federal academy and above all better management of the budgets allocated to women's football.

Regarding the national team and the Africa Cup of Nations, she is optimistic. According to her, Senegal has a rare generation of players and a group capable of reaching the final, while also praising Morocco's excellent organization. "Morocco is a footballing nation, and other African nations should take inspiration from it," she says.

She also sent a message to young players: “Believe in yourselves, even when no one else does. Work hard, stay disciplined, never neglect your studies, and prepare for your future. Football is an opportunity, but life doesn't end on the pitch. Every step you take today builds the future of women's football tomorrow.”

Despite her shattered dream of becoming a professional player, Amina today embodies an influential leader.