Head coach of the Lions of Teranga, Patrick Vieira attended the opening match of the Senegalese Ligue 1 between Guédiawaye FC and Dakar Sacré-Cœur (2-1), his first outing in the country’s stadiums. He set out his rule there: “the best in his position”, whatever league he plays in.
Patrick Vieira had not yet set foot in the stands of the Senegalese Ligue 1. That is now done. The head coach of the Lions of Teranga attended the matchday 1 meeting between Guédiawaye FC and Dakar Sacré-Cœur, at the Stade Amadou Barry, won 2-1 by the hosts, according to Seneweb. It was his very first official outing in the stadiums, to observe the opening of the Senegalese top flight.
Around him, a large delegation. El Hadji Diouf, technical adviser and former star of Senegalese football, accompanied him in the VIP stand. The president of the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF), Abdoulaye Fall, was also at his side, while the mayor of Guédiawaye, Ahmed Aïdara, attended the match alongside the federation delegation. A visit the coach accompanied with a clear message on his selection criteria.
“Local football is the base”
Speaking to the press, Patrick Vieira stated that the domestic league is the true foundation of Senegalese football: “It’s a pleasure to come and watch the opening of the Senegal championship. It’s my first match. Local football is the base. I came…”, he said, according to Seneweb. The head coach thus makes the national championship the cornerstone of his approach.
No league excluded from his radar
On his criteria, Patrick Vieira was just as direct: “The goal for me is to take the best players in their position, no matter where the player plays, in Saudi Arabia or in Senegal. What matters is that he is the best in his position, the quality of the player.”
The head coach cited Saudi Arabia and Senegal as examples. The player’s intrinsic level therefore takes precedence over the league he comes from: no league is excluded from his radar, according to his remarks relayed by Seneweb.
An overhaul after the qualifiers
This active approach to local scouting is part of the overhaul of the Senegalese national team after the continental qualifying cycle. The tour of the local Ligue 1 stadiums is set to continue.
The next step will be Patrick Vieira’s official squad list for the Lions of Teranga’s international gathering.