Senegal came very close to qualifying for the 2014 World Cup but was ultimately eliminated after a one-goal draw in the return match against Côte d’Ivoire. Senegal had the lead with a one-goal advantage but couldn’t secure the second goal needed to advance. Upon returning from Casablanca, where the match took place, the Minister of Sports and Community Life, Mbagnick Ndiaye, suggested that the choice of French coach Alain Giresse played a role in the team’s performance. He noted that the players who played in Casablanca were on the bench during the first leg, implying that the coach’s decisions may have affected the outcome.
SENEGAL: THE MINISTER OF SPORTS CRITICIZES ALAIN GIRESSE
