In anticipation of the return match in the last round of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Ivory Coast, Senegal Lions’ French coach, Alain Giresse, is set to announce the list of the 23 selected players on Wednesday, November 6. This list is highly anticipated due to the “changes” promised by the coach following the disappointing behavior of some players after the first leg in Abidjan on October 12, 2013.
Giresse hinted at significant changes, including the highly anticipated return of Demba Bâ, but also potential exclusions, with Cheikhou Kouyaté and Lamine Gassama being mentioned as players who were disappointing in the first leg.
Having been defeated 3-1 in the first leg, the Lions must secure a victory by a margin of more than 2 goals (e.g., 2-0) to have a chance of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Many Senegalese fans already consider this task nearly impossible, given the historical difficulties the Lions have faced against the Elephants. The last victory of the Lions against the Elephants dates back to August 2006 in a friendly match, where they won 1-0 in France under the leadership of Henri Kasperzack.
