After a season spoilt by administrative problems and a relegation to the DH, the young Togolese defender wants to believe in his future and discover the elite with the pro squad.

If there is one player who went through a complicated season, it is Senah Mango. The young Togolese player went through a tough time, which is the least that we can say. But, he manages to keep smiling. Now he is tasting pre-season preparation with the pro-group. After Port-Crouesty, it is now at Saint-Jean-de-Luz. “It is the first time that I have undergone a complete preparation. It’s good for me, as it introduces me to what has to be done” he states from the coastline.
One year ago, a judicial problem in his country stopped him from playing. Even if it is all in the past today, it has left the player scarred. “It hurt me and I was not able to progress, he says, I tried to catch up and little by little got back to my level. Whatever happens in life you have to keep a strong mentality. It helped build my character”.
Barely back from his troubles and he took another blow with the relegation of the reserve side to the DH: “It was a bad season. I only came back in January but the group was not working well together. It’s a disgrace that OM’s reserve team find themselves in the DH. We cannot make any mistakes this season”.

"The coach explained what he was expecting of me this year: the ball is in my court"

At 19 years of age Senah is firmly looking towards the future. This season holds two objectives for him, hard work with the amateurs to try and gain promotion and in doing so perhaps the chance of tasting life in the L1. A first encouraging sign is the fact he has been taken along for the training camp in the Basque Country. “It shows that the coach has faith in me, that he is counting on me, he admits, that is why I will be giving my all. It will also give me the chance to have more faith in myself”. Didier Deschamps talks to him all the time (“He explained what he was expecting of me this year: the ball is in my court and I will do all I can to convince him”), the Togolese player is aware that this season, the youngsters of the club will be called upon to double the posts in the team.
He will be counting on his adaptability, like his idol Michael Essien: “He can play in any position. He adapts everywhere and has a strong mentality, I will try and follow in his footsteps. I was trained up as a central defender but I can also play on the right like I am at the moment. I can also play as a defensive midfielder. That is a plus for me”
The own goal that he scored against Monaco on Friday is not going to set him back: "It happens, you have to deal with it and I hope that it is the first, and last time that it will happen to me”. Now he wants to discover real competition: "Why not as early as the 28th against Paris, if I am lucky enough to take part? So that the start of my career is good for me as well”. He deserves it.