A young goalkeeper from Caen at the Arab Cup with Mauritania
By Nicholas Claich
Published on
From Pierre-Heuzé to Saudi Arabia. The trajectory of Amadou Diop is taking quite a turn, in this month of July 2022. The young (17 years old) goalkeeper of the U18 team of PTT Caen (Calvados) was selected with the Mourabitounes U20, Mauritania’s national team in the category, to compete in the U20 Arab Cup, from July 20 to August 6, in Saudi Arabia. “It’s a great opportunity,” rejoices his uncle and adviser, Adama Niass.
In Caen since 2010
Like many African federations, the Mauritanian Federation, whose national training center is run by former SM Caen player Oumar Ndiaye, is keen to identify young French people with roots in Nouakchott. This is the case of Amadou, born in Montbéliard almost 18 years ago, who has lived in Caen since 2010, when his mother moved closer to her family, in the Pierre-Heuzé district, a stone’s throw from the Ax stadium.
The Federation had been following Amadou for a few months. She asked us to send videos, then selected her for a pre-selection stage in Tunisia.
During this internship, the qualities of Amadou convinced the technical staff to take him to Saudi Arabia for the international competition, among the three goalkeepers of the young Mourabitounes.
His size, first: “he measures 1.87 m for 70 kg, describes his uncle. He is a little behind physically because he is not in a professional structure and therefore trains less than others”. His character, especially:
He quickly established himself in the group, according to the feedback we have. He tells himself that he has everything to gain, that this is a great opportunity for him.
Student in 3e year of Bac-Pro sale in alternation, Amadou knows that he must remain serious in his studies. The road to professionalism is long and tortuous for a 17-year-old who does not evolve in a training center. “His goal is above all to live a day of football,” says Adama Niass. It is possible in N2 or N1 clubs ”.
Among the seniors at the recovery with the PTT
And why not at the PTT Caen, who act as candidates for the climb to the national level for next season. Laurent Dufour, the postman coach, should integrate Amadou into the senior group on his return from Saudi Arabia.
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