Senegalese star Sadio Mané will miss his country’s opening match at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations after receiving two yellow cards during the 4th and 5th rounds of the qualifying campaign. The news, first reported by the Senegalese newspaper Record, has been officially confirmed by CAF.
Despite the setback, Senegal’s coach Aliou Cissé remains confident in his team’s ability to perform without their talisman. “This absence should not bother us in any way. Certainly, Sadio’s presence is beneficial, but without him we remain strong. The CAF has decided this way, we are not going to dwell on it,” Cissé said at a press conference.
Senegal will begin their AFCON 2019 campaign in Group C with a match against Tanzania, scheduled for June 23. The team will aim to secure a strong start in the tournament despite missing one of their key attacking players.
The Lions of Teranga will rely on their squad depth and collective strength to compensate for Mané’s absence, focusing on teamwork and tactical discipline to navigate their opening fixture successfully.
