Ismaïla Sarr’s Senegal did the job against Gambia this Monday. The Marseille forward once again missed a significant opportunity. Fortunately for him, not everyone witnessed his miss live.
He was eagerly anticipated and officially started his AFCON journey this Monday in sweltering heat in Yamoussoukro. Defending champions Senegal faced Gambia. The match was challenging for Aliou Cissé’s men, especially in difficult weather conditions. At the kick-off at 2 PM, the temperature reached 34 degrees with high humidity.
A Senegal masterclass and a signal interruption
Nevertheless, the Lions aimed to defend their title, fielding an appealing lineup including players such as Sadio Mané, Kalidou Koulibaly, Ismaila Sarr, Edouard Mendy, and Abdou Diallo. On the Gambian side, coach Tom Saintfiet fielded his star Musa Barrow. The “Lions of Senegal” took the lead through a goal from Pape Gueye and a brace from Lamine Camara (3-0).
However, the match broadcast was interrupted after the 25th minute. While the Lions led 1-0 since the 4th minute, several TV signal losses occurred for a few seconds, followed by a long interruption from the 25th minute. At halftime, the transmission had still not resumed on beIN Sports in France.
On the other hand, Canal+ CAN, available in sub-Saharan Africa, was able to resume broadcasting around the 35th minute, initially with a different and unorthodox angle, then with a normal view. On the beIN France side, the transmission finally resumed at the start of the second half.
“Sorry, a technical problem beyond our control is disrupting the broadcast on our channels. Our teams are working to quickly restore a quality connection and transmission,” explained beIN Sports director of channels, programs, and editorial, Florent Houzot.
Senegal’s major miss during the signal interruption
For the first match of this AFCON played outside Abidjan, in Yamoussoukro, the political capital of Côte d’Ivoire, this glitch obviously stands out, especially for the reigning African champions. It adds another controversy after the one regarding the low attendance at the beginning of the tournament.
During this signal interruption, a golden opportunity presented itself to Ismaïla Sarr, the Marseille forward. Unfortunately, the player failed to convert this crucial opportunity, leaving Senegalese supporters disappointed and wondering what could have been.
The action started on the left side of the Senegalese attack, with Sadio Mané as the orchestrator. The Al-Nassr player skillfully eliminated Alasana Manneh before delivering a perfect cross into the box. Habib Diallo, with a precise back-heel, directed the ball to Ismaïla Sarr. The stadium held its breath as Sarr unleashed a shot with the instep, but Baboucar Gaye, the Gambian goalkeeper, rose to the occasion by deflecting the ball with his feet.
Unfortunately for viewers, the opportunity was not broadcast live as the transmission was cut at that precise moment. However, reports from spectators present at the stadium describe an intense scene marked by collective anticipation and subsequent disappointment.
Ismaila Sarr, although essential in the ranks of the Senegal national team led by Aliou Cissé, seems to face recurring finishing issues. Critics highlight his sequence of misses and lack of composure in crucial moments of the game. As a stalwart of the national team for several years, Sarr must work on this aspect of his game to maintain the confidence of supporters and coaches.
Debates on Sarr’s performance will likely intensify, especially in light of this missed opportunity. Supporters hope that this experience will serve as a catalyst for the player, urging him to refine his game and seize future crucial opportunities.
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