Senegal boss Aliou Cisse speaks about World Cup playoff against Egypt
Senegal boss Aliou Cisse, spoke about their upcoming games against Egypt and the players he selected in his squad.
After whipping the Egyptians on penalties to lift their first AFCON title in history, Senegal raise face-to-face again against the North African country in FIFA World Cup playoff next week.
The reigning African champions topped Group H with 16 points from five wins and a draw in a strong fight for a place in Qatar 2022. Egypt also the grabbed 14 points to top Group F along with Gabon, Lybia and Angola.
With the playoff draw pairing the two AFCON finalists, there is bound of different interest with each country willing to snatch a ticket to Qatar 2022.
Senegal would be aiming to continue their recent dominance over the Reds, winning their last three meetings including the AFCON finals. Meanwhile, Egypt will be hoping to seek a revenge as Carlos Queiroz men spot on successive World Cup finals.
The first leg of their playoff is scheduled to be played on the 25th of March at 5:00 PM CLT, while the second leg will take place four days later at 5:00 PM CLT on the 29th of the same month.
Senegal announced their squad for both games on Friday, which included the majority of the same players who lifted the country’s first AFCON title in Cameroon.
Cisse explained why it was important for them to stick with the same group of players before such an important event.
“Today, we are facing two deadlines which are important for Senegalese football, the playoffs and the qualification for the 2022 World Cup in November and December,” Cisse said according to Taggat.
“These games against Egypt, the team that we have just beaten on penalties in the AFCON final are still very difficult.
“For these two encounters, we thought it was crucial to have continuity. It’s important to stay true to what we [the technical staff] did, what we are doing and what the boys did in the AFCON.
“This is why we brought back the same group, in whom we have total confidence in terms of skills and attitude,” he concluded.
Senegal squad against Egypt
Goalkeepers: Edouard Mendy (Chelsea), Alioune Badara Faty (Casa Sports), and Bingourou Kamara (Charleroi).
Defenders: Bouna Sarr (Bayern Munich), Saliou Ciss (Nancy), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli), Pape Abou Cisse (Olympiacos), Abdou Diallo (Paris Saint-Germain), Youssouf Sabaly (Real Betis) and Fode Ballo Toure (AC Milan).
Midfielders: Pape Matar Sarr (Metz), Pape Gueye (Olympique de Marseille), Nampalys Mendy (Leicester City), Idrissa Gana Gueye (Paris Saint-Germain), Moustapha Name (Paris FC), Loum Ndiaye (Deportivo Alavés) and Cheikhou Kouyate (Crystal Palace).
Forwards: Sadio Mane (Liverpool), Ismaila Sarr (Watford), Bamba Dieng (Marseille), Keita Balde (Cagliari), Boulaye Dia (Villarreal), Famara Diedhiou (Alanyaspor), and Mame Baba Thiam (Kayserispor).
