As the countdown to the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) continues, several key Senegalese players, likely to be part of Coach Aliou Cissé’s final squad, are set to engage in crucial club matches across various leagues, including England, Saudi Arabia, and Scotland, just days before the turn of the year.
Amidst the quest for form and confidence, the specter of potential injuries looms, intensifying concerns following the recent setback suffered by Salernitana striker Boulaye Dia.
For these Lions, the upcoming club fixtures serve as both an opportunity to maintain peak physical condition and a dress rehearsal before the AFCON, given that there are no scheduled friendly matches for the National Team before the continental competition.
With the Senegalese squad largely known, these encounters represent a chance for individuals to showcase their prowess and bolster personal statistics.
The English contingent faces the traditional Boxing Day fixtures, a critical test for players such as Sadio Mané, Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, Habib Diallo, Idrissa Gueye, Pape Matar Sarr, Cheikhou Kouyaté, and Moussa Niakhaté, scattered across clubs like Al-Nassr, Al-Ahli, Al-Hilal, Al-Shabab, Everton, Tottenham, and Nottingham Forest.
The Scots will have an eye on Abdallah Sima, currently with Rangers.
The recent injury to Boulaye Dia underscores the vulnerability of key players to physical setbacks, amplifying concerns about the potential toll on the Senegal National Team.
The unfortunate injury of Nampalys Mendy has added to these worries, raising questions about the robustness of the squad ahead of the continental challenge.
As Senegal aims to secure a second consecutive continental title, there is a collective hope that the players navigating these end-of-year fixtures emerge unscathed.
The fortunes of the Senegalese Lions in the AFCON will significantly hinge on the fitness and well-being of their key assets, urging fans to hold their breath and wish for a favorable outcome in the final stretch before the tournament in Ivory Coast.
