Former international player, coach, consultant, and head of women’s football development at the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF), Walimata Seye continues her fight for the growth of this discipline in Senegal.
Just hours before a crucial match for the Lions of Senegal against Norway at the 2026 World Cup, calm still reigns at the FSF headquarters in the Keur Gorgui district. In this imposing building, we meet Walimata Seye in her office in the Women’s Football Department around noon on Monday, June 22. Dressed casually, with a Nelson Mandela-like hairstyle and corrective glasses, the woman in her fories exudes a simplicity that contrasts with the richness of her career, where everything appears natural, starting with her passion for football.
As a true pioneer of women’s football, Walimata Seye belongs to that generation who helped pave the way in an environment long dominated by men. Having grown up playing in the streets of Ouakam, she notably played for Sirenes de Dakar, with whom she won several national trophies, before continuing her career in France with ASPTT Albi. While representing Senegal remains one of her greatest sources of pride, a serious knee injury eventually forced her to change careers. Far from keeping her away from the pitch, this experience propelled her towards other roles, first as a coach and then as a consultant and sports commentator. She explains that football was the place where she could express herself without limits, viewing coaching as a natural extension of her passion and a way to pass on her experience to younger generations.
Her time in Europe profoundly changed her understanding of the game, introducing her to the demands of the highest level, tactical rigor, and a performance-driven culture. Today, Walimata Seye is actively involved in structuring Senegalese women’s football. After three years at the helm of the U15 national team, she is proud to have contributed to the emergence of several generations of players who now play in the higher age groups and the senior national team. She also contributed to the victory of the U20 women’s team, who were crowned champions in May 2026 after a 3-0 win against Guinea-Bissau, a true symbol of the progress of Senegalese women’s football.
According to her, women’s football has progressed considerably in Senegal thanks to the establishment of structured leagues and the creation of national teams across several age categories, though significant room for improvement remains regarding media visibility. When asked about the idea of one day managing the men’s national team in a field where top technical positions remain predominantly held by men, she confidently refuses to set limits for herself, declaring that the sky is the limit. Looking ahead to the Senegal-Norway match, which the Lions ultimately lost 3-2, the former international player expressed optimism about Senegalese football’s ability to bounce back while emphasizing the need to improve attacking efficiency.
Beyond football, Walimata Seye also champions the importance of academic training as a graduate in banking, finance, and insurance who later complemented her studies with further training in sports, logistics, and project management. For her, studies and sport must go hand in hand, noting that in football, many are called but very few are chosen. She encourages young players to prepare for life after sports while pursuing their dreams, conveying a final message to those who aspire to follow in her footsteps: believe in yourself, work tirelessly, and never give up in the face of obstacles. This philosophy perfectly encapsulates the journey of a woman for whom football is much more than a sport, serving as a lifelong calling.
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