The day before Senegal’s third and final match in Group C at AFCON 2023, Aliou Cissé, the coach of the Teranga Lions, showed up for a press conference. After a detour to the hospital for gastric issues, the man in charge of the Senegalese team reassured everyone.
A small fear gripped the Senegalese on the last Saturday with the announcement of a discomfort suffered by coach Aliou Cissé, who has been doing an excellent job with the team. After the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) provided more details on the situation, calm was restored. El-Hadji Diouf, who is part of the delegation present in Ivory Coast for AFCON 2023, immediately informed that things were improving for the former Teranga Lions defender, who was discussing with players in the room for the continuation of the competition.
Aliou Cissé reassures
While many awaited a public appearance by Aliou Cissé to definitively ensure that everything was fine, it happened. Indeed, this Monday, on the eve of the third group stage match between Senegal and Guinea Conakry, the Ziguinchor native appeared at a press conference. With a big smile, Cissé reassured the Senegalese and all those who had worried about his health. “I feel very well now. I want to thank all the people who were concerned about me, who sent me messages. It really warmed my heart. I tell the Senegalese people that I am well,” said Aliou Cissé.
This is good news for Senegal. After the first two matches of the Indomitable Lions, Aliou Cissé once again demonstrated his trademark style with a very dynamic team. Already qualified for the AFCON 2023 quarterfinals, the Teranga Lions will need optimal form from everyone to pursue their objectives.
The match against Guinea Conakry
Before talking about the quarterfinals, the defending champions will face Kaba Diawara’s Syli National this Tuesday. For this match, Aliou Cissé does not plan to change things. “We are preparing tomorrow’s match just as we prepared the previous two with the same seriousness, the same desire, and the same determination. This match is a means for us to consolidate our achievements and maintain this momentum of leadership,” said the 47-year-old coach in front of the journalists. “The infirmary is gradually emptying, and it feels good to be able to recover all the players. Lamine Camara and Diakhaté have returned well to the group,” he added.
In any case, Monday’s press conference was generally positive. One thing is certain, the team will rotate against Guinea to avoid unnecessary injuries to the key players. Sadio Mané, the team’s unconditional star, is unlikely to start the third group stage match, just like Lamine Camara. “Nothing has changed; Sadio remains our best player. Every coach builds his team around his best player, and I did it around Sadio,” emphasized Cissé.
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