Lamine Camara has credited his team-mates after winning the 2022 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) the best young player of the group stage.
Match winner with a calmly converted spot-kick in Senegal’s one-nil win against Mauritania in Friday’s quarter-final, Camara only went and enhanced his reputation as one of the hottest young properties on the continent.
The 19-year-old midfielder expressed gratitude after CAFs Technical Study Group named him best young player of the group stage of the seventh edition of the tournament for players plying their trade in their home country.
“I did not initially expect that but due to the work we have done, credit has to be given to the group”, the 20-year-old stated.
The youngster went on to analyze the game afterwards, stating how difficult Mauritania was to break down: “It was a tough game but we prepared for it. We played well and eventually went through.”
It was ironic that the penalty spot where Senegal failed twice in two group stage games, provided leverage for the men of Pepe Thiaw to reach the semi-finals.
For Camara, it was all about recovering from a missed penalty in the Teranga Lions’ CHAN opener in Group B against Cote D’Ivoire.
Camara stepped up again, this time, with a more important kick from 12 yards against Mauritania, which he converted.
“We had some history with missed penalties. It was important that we put the records of missed penalties to bed and convert this one which we did.
“I had pressure because I already missed a penalty in the group stage and I couldn’t afford to miss this,” Lamine ended.
Camara is from a prestigious Génération Foot Academy which has birthed a good number of stars including Sadio Mane, the reigning African player of the year.
Senegal will play Madagascar in the semi-finals on Tuesday.
Source: Confederation of African Football