Just days ahead of Senegal’s opening match at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, coach Aliou Cissé took the opportunity to set expectations straight. In an interview with Jeune Afrique, the former national team captain emphasized that the Lions of Teranga are not the outright favorites for the tournament, despite their strong squad and recent World Cup performance.
“I’ll say it again: Senegal is not the favorite! This competition will require sweat, tears, and sometimes blood,” Cissé explained. He pointed out that the traditional powerhouses, such as Cameroon—the defending champions—Egypt as hosts, Ivory Coast, Tunisia, and Morocco, are more likely to claim pre-tournament favoritism. “For the past few years, Senegal has been labeled the perennial favorite, but the favorite teams are those that have already won an AFCON,” he added.
Cissé’s remarks also reflected a careful balance between realism and motivation. While downplaying Senegal’s favoritism, he highlighted the team’s strength and growing confidence. “We are strong contenders and we are optimistic. We are gradually gaining confidence in our team and our style of play, but we must remain humble,” he said. The coach stressed that rankings alone, such as Senegal’s position as Africa’s top-ranked team in FIFA standings, do not guarantee success. He drew a parallel with France, noting that being top-ranked does not necessarily equate to being world champions.
This statement could be interpreted in multiple ways. On one hand, it may be a tactical communication strategy—a subtle psychological ploy designed to relieve pressure from the players while keeping opponents wary. By rejecting the “favorite” label, Cissé encourages his squad to focus on performance rather than external expectations. On the other hand, it might simply be a reflection of his realistic assessment of the competition: in a tournament as unpredictable as the AFCON, history and experience often outweigh rankings and talent.
Whatever the motivation, Cissé’s comments underline the respect he has for Africa’s traditional football powers while signaling Senegal’s readiness to compete at a high level. The Lions of Teranga possess a squad full of talent, including stars like Sadio Mané, Diao Baldé Keita, Ismaila Sarr, and Kalidou Koulibaly. Their task will be to combine individual skill with team cohesion to make a mark in Group C and beyond.
As Senegal prepares to face Tanzania in their opening match on Sunday, June 23, at 5 PM GMT, Cissé’s message serves as both a reminder and a challenge: while his team may not be labeled favorites, they have the tools, talent, and tactical discipline to challenge any opponent. The question remains whether this public modesty is merely strategic or a reflection of genuine humility—but either way, it sets the tone for Senegal’s AFCON campaign.
