Reigning champions of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Senegal, have landed in Côte d’Ivoire with an unwavering resolve to defend their title, anticipating that the 2023 edition will mark a pinnacle in the tournament’s history.
The Lions of Teranga arrived in Yamoussoukro, their Group C base, acknowledging the intensified challenge they face in retaining their title, given the formidable lineup featuring five-time champions Cameroon, The Gambia, and Guinea.
Senegal, a dominant force in African football, stands as strong title contenders, having secured a place in two consecutive TotalEnergies CAF AFCON finals (2019, 2021).
Expressing his thoughts from the team’s base camp, Kalidou Koulibaly conveyed optimism about the forthcoming tournament, stating, “I think that the Côte d’Ivoire edition will be the best in the history of the competition because all the big teams are present and are fully prepared. It will show the true image of African football, and I think that whoever wins the title in the end will deserve it.”
The Senegal skipper urged the nation to rally behind the team and keep them in their prayers as they embark on the challenging journey to defend the title against the continent’s best teams.
“I ask the Senegalese fans to be behind us during the competition and to pray for us in their prayers. Their support will take us far in the competition, and we will represent them well and give them a big gift in the end.”
Senegal kicks off their title defense on January 15 against Gambia, followed by a lion-hearted clash with Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions on January 18, concluding their group stage against Guinea on January 23.
