Habib Diarra On His AFCON Call Up & Signing For Sunderland

Habib Diarra has been unavailable since September after picking up a groin injury, despite that absence Sunderland’s record signing has been called up by Senegal for the African Cup of Nations, which starts on Sunday.

Now on international duty, Diarra has given an exclusive interview with dsports, in which he discusses his comeback from injury, whether he’s ready to play and his goals for the tournament:

Habib Diarra, you’ve been sidelined since September due to an injury. How did you get through this period, both mentally and physically?

Habib Diarra: It’s true that at the beginning, it was difficult. After the injury, I didn’t think there would be surgery. Then, they explained that there were two options: either treat it without surgery, with the risk of a relapse, or have surgery to fix the problem permanently. I chose the second option. It was very hard, but I stayed mentally positive. The club supported me, the Senegalese Football Federation too, my family, honestly everyone around me. That really helped me maintain a positive mindset.

You played an important role in Régis Le Bris’s system at Sunderland. How did you cope with no longer being able to help your team on the pitch?

That’s part of football. We have a pretty deep squad. Even though I got injured, I knew there would be someone to replace me and do the job properly.

Were there any moments of doubt during this long period of unavailability?

No, not at all. I never doubted myself. I know my strengths. I worked very hard during this recovery period to come back as quickly as possible. I stayed true to myself.

Did you have any discussions with coach Pape Thiaw before your call-up for the AFCON? What was the content of these discussions?

Yes, during my recovery, we stayed in touch, as did the national team’s medical staff. He told me he had confidence in me and that my health was the most important thing. Pape Thiaw is a coach who cares a lot about the players.

You recently resumed team training. Do you feel ready to meet the demands of a competition like the Africa Cup of Nations ?

Yes, of course. I’m always ready to meet the demands. We live in a world where you don’t have a choice: either you have the skill, you play, or you don’t, you’re left out. I know my strengths, I continue to progress and improve. I’m still young, I work hard every day, and I know I’m ready for the Africa Cup of Nations.

What is your personal goal for this tournament, if you are going to play?

My personal goals take a back seat. Just playing in the Africa Cup of Nations is a fantastic opportunity; it’s not something everyone gets to do. My objective will be to help the team as much as possible to win matches and achieve our ultimate goal.

Habib was also asked about his decision to join Sunderland in the summer and the midfield was in no doubt that it was the right choice:

Last summer, you chose Sunderland despite interest from clubs like AC Milan and Atlético de Madrid. What motivated this choice?

It was a very well-considered decision. I spoke with the sporting director and the coach, and I quickly told them I was coming. They presented me with a clear and interesting project, and I was very receptive. From the start, they showed me they really wanted me. For a player, feeling important at a club is essential. I know this choice wasn’t understood by everyone, especially some Senegalese, and I understand them. But I never rush things. To reach the next level, you have to think things through carefully. I don’t take that lightly.

How does Sunderland help you progress today, both in terms of sports and as a person?

Sunderland is a very family-oriented club. Everyone loves football, the atmosphere is great, and people are always smiling. The facilities are excellent; there’s nothing to criticize about the club. There have also been a lot of new arrivals: Granit Xhaka, Mukiele, Noah Sadiki, Simon Adingra… When I saw this squad, I felt very confident.

Do you sometimes feel regret for not having joined a club involved in the Champions League?

No, not at all. When I make a decision, it’s because I’ve thought it through carefully. I’m a very organized person. If we share the same values, I’m fully committed. I feel fantastic at Sunderland. It was a decision of the heart, and in terms of results, everything is working. We couldn’t have hoped for better.

How would you describe your relationship with your coach, Régis Le Bris?

It’s a healthy relationship between a coach and his players. He talks to us a lot and explains his choices. Tactically, he’s a very strong coach. I’ve learned a lot from him. He wants us to improve and always give our best.

You were promoted and you’re surprising a lot of people this season, especially against the big teams. What’s Sunderland’s secret?

There’s really no secret. We work hard in training, we get along very well off the pitch, and we enjoy playing together. And as I said, the coach is very strong tactically.

You can read the full dsports interview with Habib Diarra, in which he talks about his history, his aims for the season and much more HERE.