Senegal start defence of Cup of Nations crown forewarned of dangers

Senegal launch the defence of their continental title on Monday with a tricky tie against the 2021 quarter-finalists Gambia.

Issued on: 15/01/2024 – 12:58

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Aliou Cissé’s squad are aiming to join Ghana, Cameroon and Egypt as the only countries to retain the Cup of Nations title in the 66-year history of the tournament.

“Of course there’s pressure,” said Cissé on the eve of the clash at the Stade Charles Konan Banny in Yamoussoukro.

“The best 24 teams in Africa are at the competition along with the 24 best coaches. There’s pressure on everyone.

“But that’s the right kind of pressure. It’s the pressure that motivates you and makes you win.”

Joy

Cote d’Ivoire kicked off the 34th Cup of Nations on Saturday night with victory over Guinea Bissau. Though hard fought, the form book was respected.

On the first full day of action on Sunday, the putative underdogs nibbled gleefully at the bigger beasts.

Equatorial Guinea profited from wayward Nigerian marksmanship to draw 1-1.

Egypt needed a stoppage-time penalty from Mo Salah to rescue a 2-2 draw with Mozambique and Cape Verde exploited lackadaisical Ghanaian defending to snatch a last-gasp victory. 

“Sure you can say that Senegal is above Gambia,” added Cissé. “But Gambia have been one of the teams that have come up over the last 20 years.

“Gambia is advancing from the sporting point of view so we’re going to take them really seriously.”

Under Tom Saintifiet, Gambia reached the last eight in Cameroon in their inaugural appearance at the tournament.

Experience

“This is my fourth Cup of Nations as coach and I’ve gained in experience. We know that as defending champions there is more pressure on us but there are lots of favourites for the title apart from Senegal.

“But we’re thinking only of Gambia that’s the most important game for us because we want to start the tournament off on a good foot and the best way to do that is to overcome Gambia.”

Senegal – beaten finalists in 2019 – hoisted their first title following a penalty shoot-out win over Egypt in Cameroon in 2022.

“We’ve won it and the best way to win it again is to stay really focused on today,” said Cissé.

Both Cissé and Saintifiet concurred that the afternoon heat could have a bearing on the match.

Heat

“Of course we’d prefer to play in the evening when the sun has gone down but the medical staff have been ensuring that the players are well hydrated.

“We’ll have to play intelligently and not just run for the sake of it,” added Saintifiet. “We mustn’t be afraid of playing in the heat.”

The second full day of action will continue at the Stade Charles Konan Banny with Cameroon’s Group C opener against Guinea.

And it will culminate in Bouaké with the Group D tie between Algeria and Angola at the Stade de la Paix.