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Senegal's Salif Sané before Senegal-Benin quarter-final at CAN 2019. Khaled DESOUKI / AFP

Grandissimes favorites of the quarter-final Senegal-Benin, the "Lions" have no right to the error, this July 10 in Cairo, in front of "Squirrels". An elimination at this stage of the CAN 2019 would be a failure for Senegalese who still run after their first coronation in the Africa Cup of Nations.

From our special envoy in Cairo,

" At this stage of the competition, we say that we must win. Because if we lose, it's over, and we go home. Salif Sané and his Senegal team partners obviously understood the whole issue of their CAN 2019 quarter-final against Benin.

If they qualify, this July 10 in Cairo, the "Teranga Lions" will compete in the semifinals of the African Cup of Nations for the first time since 2006. Their Egyptian campaign can hardly be considered a fiasco . On the other hand, if they bite the dust against the Beninese, they will not have done better than the CAN 2017 and this edition will have been a failure.

" The pressure is more on the shoulders of Senegalese "

" The pressure is more on the shoulders of Senegalese who apply in title than on ours ," said Benin coach Michel Dussuyer, in a press conference on July 9 in Cairo. We know we are facing a big challenge, against one of the best teams on the continent, one of the favorites of the CAN 2019. We know what awaits us. But we have everything to gain in this competition .

This context gives even more confidence to the Squirrels. " We know that Senegal has very good players, with great individual qualities , said defender Olivier Verdon. But, collectively, we will be stronger .

" To have humility and respect towards the adversary "

So far, Beninese have managed to thwart cadors such as Ghana, Cameroon and Morocco . Is this a reason to fear them? " To fear is a big word ," said Salif Sané, in a press conference. We know what we are capable of, first. Then, we will not underestimate them .

Aliou Cisse, the Senegalese coach, is much more cautious. " In high performance sport, I think humility and modesty are very important factors ," says the technician. I call our players to have humility and respect towards the opponent, like me, the staff, the federation and the country we have ". Because Senegal does not have the right to make a mistake with Benin, Aliou Cissé gives a layer: " If this Beninese team is at this level, it's because it has achieved good results. With our mentality and our education, we are not one to underestimate others. Then he asks a question about the other favorites: " Who would have thought that Cameroon would be eliminated in the round of 16? Who would have thought that Morocco would be too? And Egypt? "

Interviewed by Olivier Pron