Yéhvann Diouf’s journey from a chaotic CAN to reclaiming his spot at Nice

As a young boy in the Val-de-Marne, Yéhvann Diouf used to spend his nights gazing at the stars through a telescope. This season, however, the Nice goalkeeper has experienced a trajectory as unpredictable as any celestial body. Since joining the club last summer, his path has been a whirlwind of high-stakes football, a continental title with Sénégal, and a sudden battle to remain the first-choice keeper for the Aiglons.

A season of intense highs and unexpected lows

Reflecting on his recent experiences, Diouf admits the year has been anything but ordinary. Following an exhausting campaign with Reims that ended late, he had little time to recover before Nice began their Champions League qualifying rounds against Benfica. “It was an atypical season,” he laughs, noting the rapid adjustment required for a new club, new teammates, and a new tactical system.

While Nice struggled to find consistency during the autumn, particularly after a painful European loss to Fribourg, Diouf found solace in the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN). He vividly recalls the emotional departure from Dakar, where the squad received the national flag from President Bassirou Diomaye Faye amidst thousands of cheering supporters. “I was in a state of wonder, discovering everything for the first time,” he explains.

The tournament ended in a pitch victory for Sénégal over Maroc, though the final result remains entangled in legal disputes. While the CAF initially awarded the title to Maroc on paper, the TAS is still expected to deliver a final verdict. For Diouf, the on-field success remains the defining moment, even if it was marked by a bizarre incident where he had to physically protect Edouard Mendy’s towel from ball boys. “It adds to the folklore, but my safety was actually compromised in that moment,” he reflects.

The battle for the starting role at Nice

Returning to the Côte d’Azur as a champion, Diouf faced a harsh reality check. During his absence, Maxime Dupé had established himself in goal, and coach Puel chose to stick with the in-form keeper. “I came back with my head still in the clouds, but I was brought back to earth very quickly,” Diouf admits. He chose to respect the decision and work his way back into the lineup.

His redemption came in the Coupe de France. A strong performance and a victorious penalty shootout against Lorient allowed him to reclaim his status. For Diouf, the stakes are personal. He still carries the trauma of the previous year with Reims, where a trip to the Stade de France for a cup final against PSG was followed immediately by a painful relegation to Ligue 2 after a playoff against Metz.

Determined not to let history repeat itself at Nice, Diouf has become a vocal leader in the dressing room. After a disappointing loss to Strasbourg, he urged his teammates to realize the gravity of their situation. “It only depends on us,” he told them. With crucial matches against Auxerre and Metz on the horizon, Diouf is focused on ensuring that this rollercoaster season ends on a high note, keeping Nice safely in the top flight.