Omar Daf, a Senegalese native, was appointed coach for Dijon (Ligue 2) last June. It had been a promising season so far. Since then, the poor results have been linked. The DFCO, a contender for accession in Ligue 1, is currently at a disappointing twelfth. For the former defender, his team “is in its place.”
Although only two teams will be promoted to Ligue 1 after the Professional Football League (LFP), decided to increase the elite from 20 clubs to 18, we won’t say it is the year or not. It was precisely the ambition of Dijon, one of the biggest budgets of L2 (21 million euros), determined to turn their backs on the last two complicated ones – a relegation then a disappointing eleventh place – and to appease an internal atmosphere that we will modestly qualify as “heavy.”
Omar Daf, a Senegalese (45), was chosen by the DFCO to succeed Patrice Garcia. The Burgundian club, which had also studied the profiles of Patrice Beaumelle, the former coach of the Ivory Coast or even Sébastien Desabre, passed by many African clubs and Uganda and today at the head of the Leopards of DR Congo, had finally set his sights on the former defender of the Lions of Teranga (55 selections), who had accompanied Sochaux at the gates of Ligue 1 at the end of last season, until a defeat against Auxerre at the penultimate round of the play-offs (0-0, 4-5 on taB). After an excellent start to championship – 3 wins, 2 draws – and many good things seen in the style and attitude of play, Dijon, the ephemeral leader on the evening of 5th day, occupy, just before their trip to Amiens, a disappointing 12th place. Daf knows that 12 points are not enough for the account after ten days. “We are in our place. It proves how difficult Ligue 2 is.”
The gap between the top and bottom ranks is growing
Last Saturday against Le Havre (0-0), his team put an end to a series of four consecutive defeats – Annecy (0-2), Bastia (0-1), Sochaux (0-2) and Bordeaux (1- 2) – giving the impression of going a little better, even if a Norman victory would not have frightened anyone. “We always prepare to win. It was necessary that this series be ended, but it is clear that it is not enough. With what we show, we are in our place.”Omar Daf identifies Annecy’s defeat as a turning point. “We had just won in Metz (2-1), after a very good match, and we had to confirm, which we were unable to do. There were matches in Bastia, Bordeaux and elsewhere where certain refereeing decisions were weighed. We had to deal with many injuries and suspensions. (including those of Malian Cheick Traoré, Senegalese Zargo Touré and Cameroonian Ahmad Ngouyamsa, editor’s note).While we don’t want excuses, it is important to consider the implications.
With 84 points still at stake, Dijon is clearly not giving up on its ambitions. However, the delay in the top trio of Bordeaux, Amiens, and Sochaux continues. to dig in. “The championship is still long, but it is obvious that we need to win”,Daf, his compatriot returning to Dijon, continues Moussa Konate, loaned last year to Esperance Tunis in Tunisia and Sivasspor in Turkey. Former striker at FC Sion (Switzerland), Olivier Delcourt was irritated by his attitude. The Dijon president hadn’t been seen in Dijon since June 22nd, when training resumed. However, Yassine Benzia, an Algerian, wanted to leave but has not yet found a new destination.“They are there and I have always stated that I will count upon those who are fully invested in the club project.”Daf. But according to the latest information, the two players – and the club – would rather be looking for a way out for these two elements who receive high salaries…
Alexis BILLEBAULT
Source: sportnewsafrica
