Ismail Jakobs has said that he is adapting well to the system Aliou Cissé has put in place, although he has noted certain differences from his routine at club level.
Before the CAN kicked off, the Senegalese national team adopted a 3-4-3 formation, marking a departure from the traditional 4-3-3 under which the Lions of Teranga won the 2021 CAN. This strategic change has benefited certain players, including Ismail Jakobs, who is familiar with this formation with his club. Nevertheless, the transition has not been entirely smooth. For the AS Monaco defender, there are significant differences between the demands of his role at club level and Aliou Cissé’s expectations for the national team.
“Indeed, Krépin Diatta and I occupy the same positions with AS Monaco and the Senegalese national team. The coach (Aliou Cissé) chose to test this formation by including both of us, and I think it worked rather well. The pattern is similar, it’s true, but it could be that for Senegal we adopt a slightly more defensive approach than we do at club level. Nevertheless, the fundamentals remain the same and the players feel comfortable in this system,” explained the 24-year-old Senegal international in an interview with L’Observateur.
Omar Daf to replace Aliou Cissé?
With speculation mounting over Aliou Cissé’s future as coach, Omar Daf stands out as one of the candidates being mooted to take charge of the Lions of Teranga. The pressure has increased on Aliou Cissé following the team’s early elimination in the Round of 16 at the last Africa Cup of Nations tournament. Many Senegalese fans and analysts believe it would be better for him to pass the torch to protect his legacy.
Among those being considered to take over from Aliou Cissé at the helm of the Senegalese national team, two of Cissé’s former team-mates stand out: Habib Bèye and Omar Daf. The latter has particularly shone this season as coach of French Ligue 2 side Amiens. January was an exceptional month for Omar Daf, who was crowned coach of the month in this division. The well-deserved accolade is a reward for his three wins in as many games during the period.
These successes have propelled Omar Daf to the forefront of the debate over the future coach of the Lions of Teranga. His ability to generate remarkable performances in the demanding context of Ligue 2 has made a huge impression and heightened interest in his profile at international level.
However, despite much speculation, Omar Daf’s situation and his potential appointment as Senegal coach remain uncertain. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining whether this emerging talent in Senegalese football opts for an international challenge. One thing is clear: the development of this affair deserves particular attention.
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