Saudi-Based Mane Heads Senegal Defense Of Africa Cup Of Nations Crown

Aliou Cisse, the head coach of defending champions Senegal, emphasized the team’s determination to succeed in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with players competing in the Saudi championship.

Cisse, who had previously been hesitant to select players from the Saudi league, has now included a quintet of stars who were instrumental in Senegal’s maiden AFCON success in 2022.

The coach highlighted the need for Senegal to demonstrate their ability to triumph with players in the Saudi league after achieving success with those in major European championships. Notable players such as Sadio Mane, Edouard Mendy, and Kalidou Koulibaly have moved to the Saudi league, signaling a shift in Cisse’s selection strategy.

“We showed we were capable of winning the title when we had players in the major European championships. Now we also must show we can win it with players who play in Saudi Arabia,” Cisse stated during a press conference.

The Senegalese coach, eager to secure a second AFCON crown, emphasized the hunger and determination within the squad, comparing it to the prelude to their 2022 success in Cameroon. Cisse and Senegal aim to become the first team since Egypt in 2010 to successfully defend the AFCON title.

“We have just the one star,” Cisse remarked, referring to their single AFCON triumph. “We are keen to win again, to continue winning it.”

Senegal is placed in Group C alongside Cameroon, Guinea, and Gambia in the tournament hosted by Ivory Coast, scheduled to run from January 13 to February 11.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Edouard Mendy (Al Ahli/KSA), Seny Dieng (Middlesbrough/ENG), Mory Diaw (Clermont/FRA)

Defenders: Kalidou Koulibaly (Al-Hilal/KSA), Abdou Diallo (Al-Arabi/QAT), Abdoulaye Seck (Maccabi Haifa/ISR), Abdoulaye Niakhate (Troyes/FRA), Moussa Niakhate (Nottingham Forest/ENG), Fode Ballo Toure (Fulham/ENG), Youssouf Sabaly (Real Betis/ESP), Ismail Jackobs (Monaco/FRA), Formose Mendy (Lorient/FRA)

Midfielders: Nampalys Mendy (Lens/FRA), Idrissa Gueye (Everton/ENG), Pape Sarr (Tottenham/ENG), Pape Gueye (Marseille/FRA), Krepin Diatta (Monaco/FRA), Pathe Ciss (Rayo Vallecano/ESP), Cheikhou Kouyate (Nottingham Forest/ENG), Lamine Camara (Metz/FRA)

Forwards: Sadio Mane (Al Nassr/KSA), Habibou Diallo (Al Shabab), Iliman Ndiaye (Marseille/FRA), Ismaila Sarr (Marseille/FRA), Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea/ENG), Boulaye Dia (Salernitana/ITA), Abdallah Sima (Rangers/SCO).

Source: AFP