From Penalty Heroics to Golden Gloves: Diouf’s CHAN 2024 Story

Senegal’s Marc Diouf has been awarded the Best Goalkeeper of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024, recognising his decisive role in guiding the Lions of Teranga to a bronze medal finish.

The 26-year-old Teungueth FC shot-stopper produced a series of commanding displays throughout the tournament, combining lightning reflexes, calm leadership and composure under pressure.

His crowning moment came in the third-place play-off against Sudan, where his penalty save from Musab Makeen sealed Senegal’s 4-2 shootout victory after a 1-1 draw in Kampala.

Consistent presence across the tournament

Diouf started every match for Senegal at CHAN 2024, establishing himself as the backbone of Souleymane Diallo’s youthful squad.

He was pivotal in the group stage, keeping a clean sheet in a 1-1 draw with Congo and producing vital stops in the 1-0 victory over Nigeria.

In the quarter-final against Uganda, he remained unflustered by the intensity of a packed stadium, keeping Senegal in control and ensuring progression.

Even in the semi-final defeat to Morocco, where Senegal exited 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, Diouf’s focus and resilience were praised for keeping the holders competitive until the final kick.

Diouf started every match of the competition, turning each intervention into a display of quality and consistency.

In the group stage, he secured a 1-0 victory against Nigeria with crucial saves and kept a clean sheet in a 1-1 draw with Congo, establishing early on his central role in the squad. 

In the quarter-finals against Uganda, he remained unfazed by a packed stadium and intense pressure, preserving his goal and ensuring Senegal’s progression to the semi-finals.

Even in the penalty shootout defeat to Morocco in the semis, his performance was praised, reflecting his focus and resilience.

Heroics in the bronze medal match

The defining chapter of Diouf’s campaign came in the third-place playoff against Sudan.

After Mohamed Tia Asad gave Sudan an early lead, Seyni Ndiaye equalised for Senegal to take the match into penalties.

With the score level at 1-1 after regulation time, Diouf delivered at the crucial moment, saving Sudan’s second penalty to swing the momentum in his team’s favour.

Senegal held their nerve to win the shootout 4-2, securing bronze and reaffirming Diouf’s reputation as one of the continent’s finest shot-stoppers.

Leadership and influence

Diouf’s award was not based solely on his saves. CAF’s Technical Study Group (TSG) highlighted his reliability in high-pressure moments, his quiet but effective leadership in organising Senegal’s defence, and his ability to instil confidence in teammates.

In total, he conceded just three goals in five matches, helping extend Senegal’s unbeaten run in open play to 10 CHAN matches.

His decisive penalty save in the bronze medal match has already been hailed as one of the iconic images of CHAN 2024.

A goalkeeper beyond numbers

For Senegal, Diouf was more than just the last line of defence. He became the calm heart of the team — a figure whose presence lifted morale and gave belief in tense situations.

His Golden Gloves award at CHAN 2024 crowns a campaign that combined consistency with game-changing interventions.

More than statistics, Diouf’s legacy from this tournament will be as the goalkeeper who kept Senegal alive and inspired them to finish on the podium.

Player profile

• Full Name: Marc Philippe Arona Diouf
• Age: 26 years
• Nationality: Senegalese
• Current Club: Teungueth FC (Senegal)
• Position: Goalkeeper
• Number of CHAN 2024 Matches: 5 (all as starter)
• Goals Conceded in the Tournament: 3
• Clean Sheets: 2 (including quarter-final vs. Uganda and group stage vs. Nigeria)
• Decisive Penalty Saves: 1 (third-place match vs. Sudan)
• Consecutive Matches Undefeated in Regular Time During the Tournament: 10 games (team statistic with crucial contribution from the goalkeeper)
• Award: Best Goalkeeper of TotalEnergies CHAN 2024
• Highlighted Qualities: Quick reflexes, consistency under pressure, quiet leadership, composure in critical moments, psychological security for the team
• Tournament Highlight: Decisive penalty save against Musab Makeen in the third-place match, securing the bronze medal for Senegal