Senegal’s captain and star player, Sadio Mane, expressed his belief that the upcoming TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire 2023 will be the most challenging edition in recent memory.
Mane shared his insights with CAFOnline regarding Senegal’s chances of defending their title and the competitive landscape of the tournament.
Senegal finds themselves in a formidable Group C, often referred to as the “group of death,” facing strong opponents such as Cameroon, Guinea, and The Gambia. Mane acknowledged the difficulty of the competition, highlighting the presence of all major African nations with high aspirations for success.
While recognizing the tough road ahead, Mane emphasized the team’s determination to give their best and navigate each round. He anticipates that this AFCON will be exceptionally strong, given the caliber of participating nations, making it one of the toughest competitions he has experienced in his career.
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“We know it won’t be easy but we will be there to do our best and try to go through every round. We are expecting a tough competition. This competition will be one of the strongest since I started playing in it because all the big countries are here and they all have their targets, but we will see what will happen”, said the skipper.
Addressing the personal significance of winning the title consecutively, Mane expressed that it would be a special achievement. Winning the AFCON remains a standout moment in his illustrious career, and securing another title would hold profound meaning for him and the nation.
The 31-year-old star emphasized the impact of winning AFCON on Senegalese football, marking it as a dream fulfilled since his childhood.
“Firstly, winning the AFCON was the best trophy I have ever won in my life and coming to do it again will be special and a big achievement. It’s been a dream to play in this competition since I was a kid and we will do our best. Winning the AFCON will be a big impact for our football because we have won all the other categories which is great for the country” concluded Mane.
Senegal kicks off their title defense against The Gambia on Monday, January 15, followed by a highly anticipated clash against Cameroon three days later. Their Group C campaign concludes against Guinea on Wednesday, January 23, with all matches taking place at the Stade Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro.
The stadium will also host Round of 16 and quarter-final matches in the tournament.
