The Senegalese national team is actively preparing for its upcoming CAN qualifying matches, with particular attention paid to the matches against Sudan and the DRC, which count towards the 2026 World Cup.

Asked about these matches, El Hadj Malick Diouf shared his impressions and the team's strategy. "We're preparing for them like the other AFCON qualifying matches. It will be different because both teams have the same number of points. It will be tough, but we'll have to collect the six points to be top. Everyone is here, even if there's an injury. All the players are ready to pull out all the stops. The trap is to focus on the match against the DRC, when we have the same points as Sudan. However, there is no difference between the two matches."

The match against England, a reference

“The match against England is a benchmark for us, for Africa. It gives the players visibility. We were lucky enough to join the English league afterward. But we're keeping our heads on our shoulders, while thinking about continuing the work.”

On the question of the pressure weighing on the squad, El Hadj Malick Diouf reassures: “We are not going into the competition with a negative mindset. These are two different matches, even if the context of the last World Cup qualifying matches is different. The one against Sudan is a trick match. The pressure is on the supporters, but as players, we must not have that pressure.”

The Senegalese midfielder is also confident on a physical level. “Most of the players have had a lot of playing time. Physically, they're fine. It's the same for the others. The intensity and pace are there to start these matches.”

Finally, Malick Diouf talks about his debut at West Ham and adapting to playing for the national team: “I'm riding the momentum of the West Ham matches, even if it's different in the national team, since the game plan is different. But the pace and intensity are the same.”