Demba Bâ Blasts Giresse’s Management of Senegal After AFCON Snub
Left out of Senegal’s squad for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, striker Demba Bâ has harshly criticized former national team coach Alain Giresse, placing blame on the Frenchman for the Lions’ early exit and voicing doubts about his own future with the national team.
In a frank interview with Senegalese sports daily STADES, the Istanbul Başakşehir and former Beşiktaş striker stated:
“The only positive point about Giresse’s time was the improvement in the team’s accommodation. Apart from that, everything is black.”
Bâ, who has had several tensions with Giresse in the past, did not mince words:
“We can blame Giresse for everything in this failure. He showed his limits in managing the squad and in handling the team’s internal life.”
Despite not being called up, the experienced forward believes Senegal had the quality to go further:
“With the potential in this team, we could have at least reached the semi-finals.”
As for his own international career, Bâ, now 29, remains undecided:
“It will depend on what’s put in place, the new staff, and the direction the team takes. I’ve made a lot of sacrifices for this team. I want to bring joy to the Senegalese people through football. If I can help, I will. But if I see things aren’t progressing, I’ll walk away.”
Senegal’s elimination in the group stage and the departure of Alain Giresse as head coach have clearly left deep scars, with Demba Bâ’s comments underscoring the internal discord that may have contributed to the team’s underperformance.
