CAN 2024: between Guinea and Senegal, neither arrangement nor relaxation
The Senegalese Lions, already qualified for the round of 16, face Guinea on Tuesday January 23 in Yamoussoukro in the last match of the first round (group C) of the African Cup of Nations.
The national Syli only needs one point to secure his ticket to the next round.
But in this derby, no one plans to give each other a gift.
Guinean Naby Keïta (left) and Senegalese Kalidou Koulibaly (right) during CAN 2024. © Kenzo Tribouillard, Ozan Kose, AFP - RFI Montage
By: Nicolas Bamba Follow
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From our special correspondent in Yamoussoukro
,
Nicolas Bamba
We meet once again.
Two years ago, in Cameroon, Senegal and Guinea had already met during the group stage of the CAN.
The context was very different: it was only the second match of the competition for both of them, the Lions were not yet African champions and their engine was having difficulty starting.
Two years later, in this
CAN 2024
in Ivory Coast, the situation is different.
It is a Senegal already qualified and confident, with two clear successes over Gambia and Cameroon, which presents itself with a Guinea in favorable ballot.
In fact, it is a match with stakes and calculations which must be held at the Charles-Konan-Banny stadium in Yamoussoukro.
Read alsoCAN 2024: Calendar, rankings and results
“It will be anything but a friendly match”
For the Lions of Teranga, the equation is simple: a victory would allow them to sign a perfect first round and would guarantee them first place in group C. A draw would also be enough to lock this position.
“
What we want is to finish first,
” confirms Aliou Cissé.
The coach knows what first place in Group C would offer his team: a round of 16 against a nation ranked among the best thirds, and in Yamoussoukro, where Senegal is already established.
The Senegalese coach also wants to maintain “
the dynamic of victories
” of his team, because “
the balance between positive and negative is fragile
”.
After a good start in this CAN, which was rare in recent years for the various outgoing champions, Aliou Cissé wants continuity.
Yes, but here it is: Senegal-Guinea is not a meeting quite like the others.
It's another West African derby between two “
brother countries
”, according to the expression of Kaba Diawara, the Guinean coach.
“
There has never been a friendly match with Guinea.
(…) Believe me, it will be anything but a friendly match
,” smiles Aliou Cissé, who could make some changes to the team that will start.
Guinea aims for first place
The speech is the same in the national Syli camp.
However, the mathematics indicates that with a draw, Senegal and Guinea would qualify for the round of 16.
But this is not the kind of deal that interests Kaba Diawara.
“
Making arrangements with Senegal does not suit us.
Because in the event of a draw, they would remain first and us second
,” squeaks the coach.
When he spoke to the press, the technician feared, by finishing in second place in group C, having to face Ivory Coast in Abidjan in the round of 16.
The rout of the Elephants against Equatorial Guinea (0-4)
on Monday made this scenario obsolete, but the determination remains;
there is no question of not trying to get first place.
“
We play every match to win them.
We knew, coming here, that we had three finals in this group.
We did two, this is the third, prestigious.
(…) We prepared our business well, believe me.
(…) We are playing for first place
,” insists Diawara, who hopes to “
disturb the champion a little
” and show everyone the progress of the national Syli over the last two years.
Also read: Everything about the six CAN groups
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