Ibrahima Baldé, who was not called up, will miss the high-stakes return match between Senegal and Ivory Coast. Alain Giresse opted not to include him in the lineup for the first leg, which ended with Ivory Coast winning 3-1 in this crucial match for World Cup qualification.
Despite not being on the field, the 24-year-old Kuban Krasnodar striker expressed his commitment to the team, saying, “On the way out, on the bench, we wanted to come and help, to do something for the team.” Baldé respects the coach’s decisions and remains optimistic about their chances to reverse the situation. Reflecting on Papiss Cissé’s goal in the first leg, he believes it can provide additional motivation for the team.
Expressing his belief in the team’s potential, Baldé emphasized the need for warriors with a strong mentality who won’t give up until the final whistle. He stressed the importance of players giving their all on the pitch, stating, “The players will have to arrive with a strong mentality and the desire to win, to die on the pitch so that our country can go to the World Cup.” Baldé concluded with a spirited declaration, acknowledging the pride it would bring to the Senegalese people if they succeed: “All the Senegalese people will be proud of their selection if we succeed. But as they say, you have to have balls.”
