Senegal: Serigne Saliou Dia takes charge of the U23 Lions

Africa 20 April 2026 at 06:05

Nafongo TRAORE

News Editor

On April 19, the Senegalese Football Federation entrusted Serigne Saliou Dia with the task of leading the Olympic national team. After his triumph at the Africa U-17 Championship in 2023, he now faces a bigger and even more significant challenge.

Serigne Saliou Dia has been appointed as the new head coach of Senegal’s national U23 team. The decision was officially announced on April 19 by the Senegalese Football Federation, as part of a wave of new appointments across the youth national teams.

Africa champion with the U-17 team in 2023, Dia also passed through the U-20 setup and now takes on a new challenge. The 55-year-old coach is renowned for his discipline and his ability to nurture young talent. His mission: to guide Senegal’s hopefuls to shine and qualify on the continental stage.

Assisting him in this mission will be Boubacar Gadiaga, who has been named assistant coach. This duo will work together to prepare the next generation of Lions, focusing on the qualifiers for the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations and the Olympic Games.