Senegalese coach Aliou Cisse has fired a warning shot to the contenders of the 2023 AFCON. Senegal named their final 27-man squad for the AFCON and it was all smiles and confidence before, during and after the naming of the squad.
The head coach of the defending champions was in a humble mood when talking about their chances.
Aliou Cisse said, “It’s true that we are very humble by nature. But humility does not mean that we do not have confidence in ourselves. Nobody has heard us beat our chest and say that we are better than everyone else. And yet look closely.”
The master tactician, when asked about the reason why he left the combative Dion Lopy of Almeria out of the squad.
He said, “Dion Lopy could have been there, today he is not there. But it’s not because we’ve given up on him, there’s a lot of competition. And it’s a choice simply sporty.”
Aliou Cisse, 47, who was part of the Senegal team that excelled in the 2002 World Cup was in a high spirit regarding the ambition of the Terranga Lions for the AFCON.
“We are not afraid. We are going to this CAN with a lot, a lot, a lot of ambition. We are African champions. This team deserves a little more consideration. If Senegal is not confident. I don’t know which African team is going to have confidence in themselves,” said the former skipper.
On his reserves, “Reservists? We have a list of 55 players. We have until the first match to change. So we have a margin”, said Cisse when quizzed about the chances of those who couldn’t make it to the final 27-man list.
30-year-old Real Betis’ right back Sabally Youssouf has been out since 16th September but was included.
When Cisse was asked about his fitness and why he was included, the gaffer said, “When a boy like Youssouf Sabaly tells me: “Coach I am ready.” I do not doubt that. Because he has never lied to me.”
Midfielders Nampalys Mendy and Iddrisa Gana Gueye have not been fully fit recently but were also selected. Ali Cisse assured Senegal fans of getting them back ready for the tournament.
He said, “If Nampalys and Gana are on this list, it is because we are sure that we will be able to recover them before leaving Senegal. Nampalys will not be far from recovering for the first match. Gana is the same.”
Salernitana forward Boulaye Dia was also listed among the 27-man squad even though he has been injured lately.
“Boulaye was followed by our doctors. I will not have Boulaye on Monday or Tuesday but I am sure that before our first match against Gambia, he will be operational.
“We discussed at length, that he is a boy who has always been honest with Senegal. If he says to me: coach I am ready. I believe him. We agreed with Salernitana that he would not join us at the start of the course”, he concluded.
Senegal will play against The Gambia, Cameroon and Guinea in Group C of the 2023 AFCON.
