Hardly convincing in chickens, the finalist of the last edition is expected at the turn in the round of 16 against Cape Verde on Tuesday (5 p.m.).
Senegal must move up a gear. Finalist of the last edition, first of its group and qualified for the round of 16 this year, the formation of Aliou Cissé is however at the center of criticism and concerns since the start of this CAN. And for good reason. With only one small goal in three matches, the Teranga Lions are sorely lacking in bite. After seven years under the orders of Aliou Cissé, is Senegal heading towards the end of the cycle?
Cissé is no longer unanimous
At the head of the Senegalese selection since 2015, Aliou Cissé has been the prey of many criticisms lately. If he entered the history of Senegal by taking the Lions to the 2018 World Cup and until the final of the CAN 2019, the Senegalese technician no longer enjoys his coast of yesteryear. While he has players playing in the biggest European clubs in his ranks, Aliou Cissé plays a more than disappointing game in this 33rd CAN, his third at the head of the Senegal team. Often jostled by valiant formations, the Senegalese give the impression of a lack of confidence in their individual and collective qualities.
In the first three group matches, Senegal never really had a grip. Even in victory, the Lions suffered terribly: against Zimbabwe (1-0), Mané and his family had to wait until the 97th minute to score the only goal of the match… on penalty (1-0). Aliou Cissé plays a direct game, often rushed and messy, while he has at his disposal very skilful players with the ball at his feet and accustomed (for the most part) to possession of the ball in the club. Something to annoy the fans, who obviously expect better from the vice champions in title, just like Henri Camara, top scorer in the history of the Senegalese selection, far from being reassured by the game proposed by Senegal . “Even during our strong moments, we have difficulty in printing a style of play. It takes blows of brilliance to afford opportunities. At present, Senegal must dictate the rhythm of their matches and not be subjected to it. Unfortunately, we watch our matches with fear in our stomachs“said the Senegalese legend during an interview with The Observer.
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Aging frames
If Senegal is the first African selection in the FIFA rankings (20th place), it is not for nothing. The “Mané generation” has already proven in the past that it is a great nation of continental football. Unfortunately, the executives of this team are closer to the end than the beginning of their superb careers. There is no guarantee that Kalidou Koulibaly (30 years old), Cheikhou Kouyaté (32 years old) or even Idrissa Gueye (32 years old) and Sadio Mané (30 years old in April) will participate in the next AFCONs with Senegal in 2023 and 2025. With an average of he age of the eleven holders (during the last match) at 28.9 years and declining performances, the Senegalese group may need a breath of fresh air…
No more room for error
If the threat hangs over the head of Aliou Cissé and certain executives, the Senegalese have not said their last word. Qualified for the round of 16 of the CAN, the Lions still have time to wake up, and to seek this first coronation in their history in the African Cup of Nations. In a particularly disputed CAN, where even the small teams can eat the big ones (the defeats of Algeria against Equatorial Guinea or Ghana against the Comoros are the perfect example), the Senegalese must move up a gear if they want to stay in the game.
«The four games we have left are very important games. We know it’s a team that is above average, a playful team declared Aliou Cissé, after the qualification of the Senegalese in eighth. Between Senegal and Cape Verde, it has never been easy. There are many Cape Verdean nationals in Senegal. And it is the same for the Senegalese who live in this country. But I can reassure you that we are preparing for this match in the best possible way. We are lucky to get all of our players back“. “The Mané generation” has an appointment with its history this Tuesday in Bafoussam. It faces Cape Verde (which held Cameroon 1-1 and beat Ethiopia 1-0) for a place in the quarter-finals of this CAN 2022.
