Everton coach Sean Dyche spoke about Idrissa Gueye’s injury at a press conference following the Toffees’ Premier League defeat by Tottenham on Saturday. According to the English coach, the Senegalese midfielder’s injury is more serious than expected.
Everton lost 2-1 at Tottenham on Saturday in the 18th round of Premier League matches. In addition to the defeat, which comes just a few days after their League Cup elimination against Fulham, the Toffees lost Idrissa Gueye through injury. The Senegalese midfielder, who started the game, was forced off after just 24 minutes.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Sean Dyche was less than reassuring about the Senegalese midfielder. The England coach told Everton TV: “We’re exhausted anyway. We’re just getting the players back and then we have injuries. We’ll have to wait and see about Idrissa, but the outlook is not encouraging. It’s crucial that we get these players back.
Boulaye Dia also out injured
While Idrissa Gueye was injured with Everton in England, Salernitana’s Boulaye Dia also missed his club’s game against AC Milan. The Senegalese striker, who started against the Lombardy club on Friday in Serie A matchday 17, left his team-mates injured in the second half.
While attacking a ball, the former Villarreal man suffered a muscle injury to his left thigh. He sat on the pitch for a few moments before finally giving way to Charles Ikwuemesi. The injury could keep him out of action for several weeks.
More bad news for Senegal
As the start of the African Cup of Nations draws ever closer, the bad news continues to mount for Senegal and Aliou Cissé. After the official withdrawal of Bouna Sarr at the beginning of December due to a serious injury sustained in training with Bayern Munich, the Lions of Teranga could be without Idrissa Gueye and also Boulaye Dia. While the former Yellow Submarine is not, as such, an indispensable part of Aliou Cissé’s squad, this is not the case for Idrissa Gueye. The former Paris Saint-Germain and Lille man is a key figure in the Lions’ midfield. His absence could therefore reduce Senegal’s chances of winning the 2023 African Cup of Nations.
Senegal, a title to defend
Senegal are among the strong contenders to win the next Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire. Reigning African champions after beating Egypt in February 2022, the Lions of Teranga have a title to defend. With an XXL squad, Aliou Cissé and his men are ranked as the favourites by the bookmakers, ahead of Algeria, Morocco, Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon. Kalidou Koulibaly recently revealed his ambitions for the competition to the cameras of Onzemondial.
“I hope Senegal will be able to win the CAF Africa Cup of Nations again in Côte d’Ivoire,” began Koulibaly, before revealing his clear ambitions: “It’s one of our goals, and we know it’s going to be difficult. All the big names on the African continent are ready. We know it’s going to be tough against our cousins from Gambia, Cameroon and Guinea. But Senegal will be ready and will do everything in their power to retain their title.
Like Kalidou Koulibaly, Sadio Mané has also announced his ambitions for the competition. Despite the possible absence of some of their key players, Senegal should be competitive in Côte d’Ivoire. With 11 wins, Senegal are the fifth most successful nation since the end of the last Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
Drawn in Group C, Senegal kick off their competition on 15 January against Gambia, before facing Cameroon and Guinea respectively in the last two games of the group phase.
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