Senegal midfielder Lamine Camara has re-emphasized his country’s desire to finish the 2022 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) in style by winning the trophy.
Camara was the architect of Teranga Lions’ 1-0 victory over Madagascar in this Tuesday’s semi-final of the tournament in Algeria.
The 20-year-old put in an outstanding display to earn a second TotalEnergies ‘Man of the Match trophy following the game in Algiers.
Camara was delighted over the return of his country to the CHAN tournament while voicing his country’s readiness for the final.
“We fell asleep for 11 years, now we are in the final. These are the kind of matches we want to play,” Camara said
Camara attempted the most take-on on the night, but he and his mates could not add to the early goal from Pape Amadou Diallo.
The Generation Foot forward admitted having regrets after missing several scoring chances but knows they did the most important thing.
“Believe me, I am disappointed about not being on the score sheet today. However, I chose to be a football player and football is a collective sport. The most important thing is this victory that takes us to the final of this great competition.
Senegal was guilty of squandering gilt-edged opportunities which could have cost them if Madagascar were efficient in the final third.
The victory confirmed Senegal meeting Algeria in the final just as it happened with the final of the 2019 AFCON which the Teranga Lions lost 1-0 in Egypt.
Camara laughed when he was quizzed about an act of possible revenge.
“We meet again (laughs). They beat us in the AFCON final in Egypt. There is no revenge or any such. It’s a new game, a new final and we want to win it at all costs.
Senegal played Algeria for a 2-2 draw in a pre-CHAN friendly in Annaba last December. Camara who remembers that fixture says there is no pressure about the new appointment.
“No. On the contrary, it’s the type of match I like to play. The public will be against us, which is normal. But that won’t stop us from winning and bringing the trophy home. Our people are hungry for victory.
Our big brothers won the AFCON, and the Beach soccer, it is up to us to bring our contribution to the winning equation. We must finish this competition with a firework display,” Camara concluded while holding his second TotalEnergies ‘man-of-the-match trophy in five games.
Camara and his teammates have a date with history against hosts Algeria this Saturday, February 4, at the Nelson Mandela Stadium.
Both nations have never won the competition reserved for players plying their trade in their country, but have a chance to succeed Morocco who won the 5th and 6th editions.
