From Diokoul, the Atlantic shores - The story of Teungueth FC
Senegal’s Teungueth FC made history, when they reached the 2020-21 Total CAF Champions League group stage on their debut.
To do so, they defeated the 2019-20 semifinalists and Moroccan giants Raja on penalties in Casablanca.
Founded in 2008 under the name of Diokoul FC, the name was changed to Teungueth FC in 2011 by the club’s then new president, Babacar Ndiaye.
“Instead of a neighborhood, we wanted the city of Rufisque to take ownership of this sporting project,” explains the young executive who works in the oil industry.
The beginnings were far from easy. The neighborhood club which started at level 2 of the Senegalese Professional Football League (LSFP) in 2009, ended up being relegated to the amateur division.
A decision was taken to interest everyone by setting up a city club, adopting the name “Teungueth” which is the traditional name of Rufisque, a city of colonial essence founded at the end of the 18th century by French colonists.
“In terms of sporting results, we are forced to find a solution to the lack of infrastructure in our stronghold,” recalls Babacar Ndiaye, whose team were obliged to train in Guédiawaye, a suburb of Dakar located thirty kilometers away.
“It was not easy, but we managed to get people, players and technical staff to believe in our project,” he added.
The first success was to recruit Senegal local national team coach Moustapha Seck, who brought Teungueth FC back to the professional league in 2014. Two years later, they were promoted to First Division.
And in 2019 they wrote history by winning Senegalese Cup title, defeating US Gorée in the final.
But against all odds, Teungueth FC - to the dismay of their fans and the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) - refused to take part in CAF Confederation Cup.
“At the time, it was difficult to explain. But neither the players nor the coach (who was double working as local national team manager too) have the time to prepare for a successful participation in this competition,” recalls President Ndiaye, who had meanwhile started a new role in FSF too.
Ndiaye became the president of the Youth Football Committee, where he led Senegal U-20 team to AFCON final and FIFA World Cup quarterfinals in 2019. And with the U-17, Senegal played in both AFCON and FIFA World Cup in the same year.
“This wealth of experience enabled us to later compete successfully in the CAF Champions League, added Ndiaye.
Teungueth started their 2020-21 campaign beating Gambia Armed Forces (1-1 and 2-0), before producing one of the tournament’s all-time shocks ousting Raja on penalties in Casablanca after an aggregate 0-0 draw.
“We managed to deliver our message to players who knew they weren't favorites against Raja,” admitted the 40-year-old president, saying he played on the mental aspect. “With the death of Pape Bouba Diop on 29 November, we reminded them of the France - Senegal match at the 2002 World Cup. It was also that the city of Rufisque had become the center of Senegal at the time of Diop (who scored Senegal’s winning goal at that match) funeral.”
And it was this spirit they showed against Raja that made the difference, he hinted saying that it is with this spirit that they also plan to play in the remaining Total CAF Champions League games.
This is the first time a Senegalese club reaches Total CAF Champions League group stage since 2004, when Jeanne d’Arc reached the semifinals.
Tuengueth started the mini league stage in a good way, losing narrowly to Tunisian giants Esperance in Tunis, before holding last season losing finalists Zamalek of Egypt to a goalless draw in Thies. They will face Algeria’s MC Alger in a double header next.