Gueye steals spotlight, seeks to guide Senegal closer to knockout stage
Senegal’s flying winger Libasse Gueye has attributed his individual brilliance to collective teamwork after a dazzling display earned him the TotalEnergies CHAN Man of the Match award in their narrow but significant 1-0 win over rivals Nigeria.
While Christian Gomis struck the 75th-minute winner that secured three valuable points, it was Gueye’s electric performance on the left flank that lit up the tie at the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024.
The 21-year-old tormented Nigeria’s right-back Taiwo Abdulrafiu throughout the match, exploiting defensive lapses with clever movement and technical flair that constantly put the Super Eagles under pressure.
Despite not finding the net himself, Gueye's influence was undeniable and vital in breaking down Nigeria’s defence in what turned into a high-tempo and physically gruelling contest.
His impact was so pronounced that head coach Souleymane Diallo only replaced him deep into added time, in the 90+3rd minute, bringing on Mbaye Ndiaye to shore up the defence and preserve the lead.
Gueye’s performance didn’t go unnoticed, as tournament sponsors TotalEnergies handed him the Man of the Match award — a personal milestone he chose to share with the rest of the squad.
“Though it was a tough game, we respected the instructions of the coach and showed great hunger,” said Gueye after the match.
“I am happy with the efforts of my teammates because we worked a lot on the game, and today it paid off. I am elated with the result.”
Senegal, the reigning CHAN champions, showed composure and tactical maturity to edge out a resilient Nigerian side.
With both nations fielding squads comprised solely of home-based players, the rivalry carried extra weight and regional pride, adding to the intensity of the clash.
Gueye’s standout display signals the emergence of another exciting prospect from Senegal’s domestic football pipeline — and strengthens the team’s title defence ambitions.
More importantly, the result places Senegal in a commanding position ahead of their second group fixture.
Next up for Gueye and his teammates is a crucial clash against Congo on August 12 at the Amaan Stadium.
The stakes are clear: avoid defeat, and Senegal will take a major step toward securing a spot in the knockout stages of CHAN PAMOJA 2024.