The only team in the competition to have so far managed to win its first three matches, Senegal is off to a perfect start to the CAN. Aliou Cissé’s men are now among the big favorites for the final victory.
Published on: 01/24/2024 – 09:45
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From our special correspondent at the Charles Konan-Banny stadium,
The CAN is often ruthless with its outgoing winners. The examples of reigning champions eliminated in the first round of the edition following the coronation are legion, but with three victories in three matches, the Senegal escaped the curse and is part of the most convincing teams so far in this CAN 2024.
Also read: CAN 2024 calendar and results
Facing Gambia, Cameroon and Guinea, the task looked difficult for Aliou Cissé’s men, who nevertheless made short work of their opponents. “ It was a very complicated group, some considered it the group of death, with the champion’s curse. Today, I think that in three matches we were able to show that we were capable of not resting on our laurels », welcomed the Senegalese coach.
Eight goals in three matches
The Lions of Teranga have already scored eight goals, only one less than in the entire victorious CAN of 2021. A situation which can be explained according to Aliou Cissé by “ a game that allows us to highlight our midfielders, our attackers. Before we focused more on individuals, today it is much more on the collective that this team was designed ».
With such a start to the competition, it is difficult not to count Senegal among the contenders for final victory. If the coach does not hide that the objective is to go to the end, he nevertheless prefers not to project too much. “ We want to stay in the present. The present is the round of 16. When we arrived here we promised ourselves to play seven matches, we played three, we have four left “, affirmed Aliou Cissé.
Read alsoGroup C of CAN 2024
« We will take match after match to try to go to the end », For his part assured the star of the Lions of Teranga, Sadio Mané. The journey still promises to be long, it will be necessary “ stay humble and keep working because anything can happen » warned Aliou Cissé. Despite these language precautions, the reigning African champion is now officially an indisputable candidate for his own succession.
