CAN 2024: Senegal favorite but wary of a miraculous Ivory Coast
Senegal, impressive in the first round, are favorites ahead of a Ivory Coast team which has exposed its weaknesses in front of its supporters. But for this round of 16, Monday January 29 in Yamoussoukro (8 p.m. UT), the Lions remain on their guard against the Elephants who believe that the feat is within their reach.
Sadio Mané and Franck Kessié © RFI
By: Ndiasse Sambe Follow
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From our special correspondent in Yamoussokro,
On the one hand, Senegal, the only team to have won its three matches in the first round, eight goals scored, only one conceded, an impression of mastery and solidity. On the other, Côte d'Ivoire, without a playing identity, mentally fragile, humiliated in front of its public by Equatorial Guinea (4-0), who dismissed their coach,
tried to reconnect with the precedent
, and obliged to propel Emerse Fae as new coach.
All the ingredients come together to make this Senegal-Côte d'Ivoire poster look like a walk in the park for the Lions. But, in the eyes of Aliou Cissé, the lessons of the first round should be archived: “
All that no longer matters. It's the past, a new competition is beginning. It's a very difficult match that awaits us against Ivory Coast. A team that will want to redeem itself in front of its audience
. »
Read alsoCAN 2024 calendar and match results
However, there is no question for the Lions of seeing themselves less beautiful than they have been since the start of this African Cup. Even against the organizing country. “
We know the environment, the hostility of the public too. But we have arguments to make,
believes Aliou Cissé
. It’s up to us to focus on what we know how to do: the game.
”
“
Dead kid is not afraid of the knife…
”
That's "
what it's all about
" to paraphrase Rigobert Song, coach of Cameroon, tamed by Cissé's players in the first round (3-1). Senegal has the dynamics, the confidence, the talents to get through this round of 16 without a hitch and aim for the double. “
In 1992, Ivory Coast came to win the Cup with us in Senegal
,” recalls Aliou Cissé with a smile.
We had entrusted them with something that we intend to get back. They have to give it back to us
.”
Also read Everything about CAN 2024
Ivory Coast also has talent, but not yet used wisely.
Which team would not be jealous of a Sangare-Kessié-Fofana midfielder? Which team can boast of having attackers as fast and lively as Boga, Kouamé or Pepé? Can Emerse Faé succeed where Jean-Louis Gasset failed? One certainty: the Elephants are advancing towards this round of 16 with the spirit of a team that has nothing to lose and everything to gain. “
Cabri mort is not afraid of the knife
”, is also the popular expression among Ivorian supporters since the miraculous qualification of their team.
“
We have to show another face,”
insists new coach Emerse Faé
. We have lost this state of mind, we must find it again. We must show that we are Ivory Coast. It would be unacceptable if attitudes did not change
.”
Emerse Faé will have to find the words to reinvigorate his troops against a Senegal which trails a not reassuring statistic against the CAN organizing countries: The last four matches of the Lions in the African Cup of Nations against the host country ended in fact in four eliminations (Equatorial Guinea 2012, Egypt 2006, Tunisia 2004, and Algeria 1990)!
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