Metz (AFP)

With the probable departure of Habib Diallo by the end of the transfer window, Ibrahima Niane has the difficult task of succeeding the top scorer of FC Metz.

The club trusts him and his recent double in L1 is a good sign before facing Marseille on Saturday (5:00 p.m.).

His partners all hailed the decisive performance of the Senegalese center-forward (21) against Reims (2-1) last Sunday, which launched his season and removed some of the doubts about his ability to succeed Diallo.

"We know that + Ibra + works hard in training. We also know that it was difficult for him in previous matches because he did not find the net. We need a striker in full confidence and I know he will score more goals for us! ”said goalkeeper Alexandre Oukidja.

"He had come under a lot of criticism after the first three games. I know he can score a lot of goals," added attacking midfielder Farid Boulaya.

The questions surrounding the Metz attack have not ceased since the resumption of training at the end of June, in particular with the announced departure of the home scorer Habib Diallo (24 goals in L2 in 2018-2019, 12 in L1 to l from the last season, truncated by the coronavirus pandemic).

The 25-year-old Senegalese international has an exit voucher before the transfer market closes on October 5, if everyone, player and club, finds something out.

But how to recover from the departure of such a decisive player in the opposing area?

- "Convinced that he will get there" -

Coach Vincent Hognon's response was invariably the same: Ibrahima Niane has the full confidence of the technician, the club and his teammates.

The 21-year-old Senegalese arrived on the banks of the Moselle in June 2017 from Génération football, the FC Metz subsidiary based in Dakar.

He grew up in the shadow of Diallo, his "big brother" as he calls him, and must be able to succeed him.

Olivier Perrin, the current director general of the training structures of FC Metz and former general manager of the Académie Génération football in Dakar, had announced it when Niane arrived in Moselle.

Even if he experienced some difficulties at the start of the season, Niane had asserted himself in the past as a good finisher with 3 goals last season and 10 in L2 the previous one.

Physically, the striker has also grown well since his arrival in Metz.

It now remains for the native of M'Bour, a seaside resort located 80 kilometers south of Dakar, to confirm the expectations placed on him.

"It's only a match. We are only at the fourth day. It is too early to take stock," warned Vincent Hognon.

"But he already made some interesting matches last season. So there is no reason why he can not do it. After, for him, it will be over time, continuity. We are convinced that he will get there, ”he concludes.

© 2020 AFP