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He is the only player who will miss the CAN 2019 final due to suspension. Kalidou Koulibaly, rock defense Senegal, will not be on the field Friday, July 19 against Algeria. A prejudicial absence to the Lions, but the player from Naples will be present morally for his teammates.
The promise will not be completely kept, at least not this year. In the wake of Senegal's victory against Tunisia in the semi-finals of CAN 2019 (1-0 ap), Aliou Cissé, coach of the Lions, told a press conference, about what he has assured his players in 2015, shortly after succeeding Alain Giresse: " I promised two things to my players : bring them back to the World Cup and in the final of the African Cup. I promised him (Kalidou) Koulibaly to come and play with us. "
Yes, the defender responded to the new coach's call when he called him for the first time, on September 5, 2015, in a CAN 2017 playoff game against Namibia.
Yes, the defender was present in Russia for the 2018 World Cup, the first in Senegal since 2002, when Aliou Cissé was then player and captain.
But no, Kalidou Koulibaly will not play the finals of the African Nations Cup 2019. Senegal yes, but not him; he will be suspended Friday, July 19 in Cairo, for the big meeting with Algeria.
Cursed fatal hand
In the semi-finals played on July 14, six future finalists were under threat of suspension in the event of a new yellow card: Algerians Ramy Bensebaïni, Adlane Guedioura and Ismaël Bennacer, and Senegalese Papa N 'Diaye, Sadio Mané and Kalidou Koulibaly. The first five have fallen through the cracks. Not the No. 3 Teranga Lions, the only player with N'Diaye to have played all the matches of Senegal in this CAN.
We played the 73rd minute of the semi-final against the Carthage Eagles and the score was then always 0-0. At the entrance of the penalty area, Ferjani Sassi decided to try his luck. Kalidou Koulibaly threw himself against this shot. Unfortunately, it is the arm that the Senegalese colossus (1.95m for 89 kilos) has repelled the attempt of the Tunisian. Verdict: penalty (that Sassi will miss a few moments later) and yellow card for the Senegalese.
In the round of 16, against Uganda, Kalidou Koulibaly had already been warned for a tackle too virile in the feet of Emmanuel Okwi. The rule is thus made: two yellow cards collected in three matches result in a suspension for the next meeting. The defender will not be there to face Algeria on July 19 in the Egyptian capital.
The same mishap (a suspension linked to the accumulation of yellow cards) has come to other players, like the German Michael Ballack, suspended for the final of the 2002 World Cup, the Czech Pavel Nedved, suspended for the final of the Champions League 2003, the Spaniard Xabi Alonso, suspended for the final of the Champions League 2014 ...
"Alongside my brothers to write history"
On social networks, Kalidou Koulibaly spoke. Obviously, missing this CAN final, the second in Senegal's history, is a rift for him. But the defender preaches above all the unity of all his country behind the Lions: " It is a final that gives joy to an entire people and we are proud of it. It hurts me not to be able to play it. But I will be with my brothers to write the story: go Lions. "
It's a finale that gives joy to an entire people and we are proud of it. It hurts me not to be able to play it. But I will be with my brothers to write the story: go lions 💚💛❤️
🇸🇳 #SENTUN 1-0 🇹🇳 # AFCON2019 #KK 💪🏿
📸 @CAF_Online pic.twitter.com/6tL6vXuu9q
International since the age of 24, the native of Saint-Dié-des-Vosges (Vosges) has quickly established himself as a base man of the selection of Aliou Cissé, at the same time it was revealed season after season as one of the best defenders of the world with Naples in Italy. According to Transfermarkt's accounts, Koulibaly has missed only four international matches since his first selection (and four unimportant matches - friendlies or matches without stakes - during which he remained on the bench). In 36 capes, he gave up his place during the match only three times.
That is to say if it is essential and if his absence for the final may weigh heavily in the fate of the game. The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF), according to the national newspaper Record, filed an appeal with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to try to cancel the yellow card received by Kalidou Koulibaly against Tunisia, advancing in particular the argument that his hand was unintentional and that his arm was not lifted off the body.
Salif Sané on pole
If the CAF does not change its mind, Aliou Cissé will have no choice and will have to recompose his eleven. Suspended Koulibaly, the logic would be that the central hinge be composed of Captain Cheikhou Kouyaté and Salif Sané. Schalke 04 had also started this CAN against Tanzania by accompanying Kalidou Koulibaly in the axis, but he had to go out after only twenty minutes of play, suffered a sprained left ankle . His unavailability revived Kouyaté and Sané, once restored, reappeared only briefly in the quarter against Benin when he came into play midfield instead of Idrissa Gueye in the 89th minute, then a little longer. in half when he replaced his teammate Papa "Badou" N'Diaye in the 81st minute.
There is every reason to believe that the suspension of Kalidou Koulibaly will allow Salif Sané to regain a place of titularity. Even if, in the head of the Téranga Lions, "Kouli" will be present. " He's vital in this team. He is a player who gives a lot. We will also play for him, "assured Papa" Badou "N'Diaye.
READ ► CAN 2019: Calendar, results and standings of the Africa Cup