APA-Dakar (Senegal) The last winners of the African Cup of Nations (AfCON) in 2022, are gunning for a second consecutive title as the tournament gets underway in Ivory Coast from January 13 to February 11, 2024.
By Ibrahima Dione
Fervor is building in Côte d’Ivoire as host of the 34th African football showpiece. While Senegal is keen to retain the trophy, 23 other national teams are dreaming of capturing it at all costs.
Since Egypt in 2010, no team has managed to stay on top of the continent for at least two consecutive editions. Yet this is the promise made by Kalidou Koulibaly to President Macky Sall.
“You will go down in history as the first president of Senegal to win the African Cup of Nations (AfCON). And God willing, you’ll also be the second in four weeks’ time,” the Lions’ captain vowed.
The central defender of Al-Hilal FC (Saudi Arabia) was speaking on Tuesday at the solemn presentation of the national flag at the Palace of the Republic. “This ceremony has a special meaning for us. It coincides with the end of your presidential term. Thank you, thank you a thousand times over for everything you have done for Senegalese soccer during your time at the head of our country (2012-2024, editor’s note). We are grateful for all the attention, support and solidarity you have shown over the past 12 years. This has contributed enormously to the many successes of our soccer,” Koulibaly stressed.
Previously derided in the world footballing arena for their barren trophy cabinet, Senegal have now won four major trophies in the space of just one year: the AfCON, the African Nations Championship (CHAN), the U20 AfCON and the U17 AfCON. Only the U23 AfCON, a qualifier for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games (OG), eluded their grasp.
Concluding his speech, the former Chelsea FC (England) star reassured the head of state of their determination to go all the way in the tournament: “We receive our magnificent flag with the same pride and honor. Here we are again, fully motivated and aware of what’s at stake at the forthcoming AfCON. We’ll be going to Côte d’Ivoire to defend our African championship title with the same patriotism, the same enthusiasm, the same commitment and the same determination as we had two years ago.”
Mr. Augustin Senghor, President of the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF), following coach Aliou Cisse’s first stint on the pitch, declared that his delegation would be “on a mission” to return home with “another trophy” to present to the President of the Republic. Because, he asserted, “we want to thank you in the nicest possible way” for the colossal efforts made to develop Senegalese football.
Promising the moon and stars
To boost the morale of a top-level athlete, beyond putting him or her in optimal performance conditions, you have to promise that the rewards will match the results. Macky Sall understands this all too well.
“In your drive to retain your title, leave us here with Teranga (hospitality, in Wolof). Go as hungry, enraged Lions, all claws out and ready to fight to the bitter end. If you bring us the Africa Cup of Nations again, you’ll be rewarded in ways you can’t even imagine. I’m committed to it,” declared the man who will leave office on April 2nd 2024.
The February 6, 2022 triumph in Yaounde, Cameroon, against Egypt (0-0, 4-2 after penalty shootouts) in the final had saw members of the official delegation of “the greatest conquest in the history of our soccer,” in the words of the president, each pocketing 50 million CFA francs (over €76,000) and receive two land plots (in Dakar and Diamniadio) by way of bonus.
Achieving the double is “a great challenge. The legitimate ambition of the defending champion is, of course, to retain the trophy, which is a coveted prize for other teams. So, you’ll be expected to do well. Every match will be a final, because your opponents will certainly want to beat you. But we know that, as champions worthy of your rank, you won’t let yourselves be beaten. We have every confidence in your talent and patriotic commitment. We know your intrinsic value. You are seasoned professionals playing in the world’s top leagues. What’s more, your technical and administrative support remains equal to the task,” President Sall said.
He went on to say, “we expect no less than a second star. When you set foot tonight (Tuesday) on Ivorian soil, you will be carrying the hopes of an entire people. This is a great honor in the life of any citizen. Each and every one of us would have loved to be in your shoes defending the national colors, but unfortunately, we don’t have the talent. So, from Dakar to the smallest hamlet in Senegal, our hearts go out to you. We will vibrate to the rhythm of your runs, your tackles, your dribbles, your shots, but above all your goals.”
And as always, Macky Sall emphasized, “the state will be by your side, hand in hand with the federation, to put you in the best possible conditions. Mr. Minister of Sports, we have agreed on this. I urge you and your teams to continue the efforts already underway in this direction. For Senegal, we are ready to achieve something exceptional. Dear Lions, I’m counting on you for this gift. Our prayers are with you.”
After the ceremony, Aliou Cisse and his men flew to Côte d’Ivoire on a plane operated by Air Senegal, the national carrier. Injured goalkeeper Seny Dieng and striker Boulaye Dia were replaced by Alfred Gomis and Bamba Dieng.
Sadio Mane and his teammates are in Group C in Yamoussoukro, along with The Gambia, Cameroon and Guinea. They will play respectively against the Scorpions (January 15 at 2pm GMT), the Indomitable Lions (January 19 at 5pm GMT) and the Syli National (January 23 at 5pm GMT).
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