Sixteen members of Senegal’s squad took part in a recovery workout in Tangier the day after their 3–1 victory over Sudan, but midfielder Lamine Camara was forced to end the session early as he continues to feel the effects of an ankle knock.
The training, which lasted around an hour and a half, was held in persistent rain that has settled over the northern Moroccan city since the weekend.
Despite the wet conditions, the Lions completed a routine programme made up of gentle ball work, fitness drills and shooting practice, as the coaching staff sought to balance physical maintenance with recovery following the exertions of matchday.
Tangier has quickly become a familiar base for the Senegalese team, who again played in front of a packed crowd the previous evening.
More than 30,000 spectators filled the stadium for the win over Sudan, underlining the strong backing enjoyed by Aliou Cissé’s side far from home.
As is customary in the aftermath of competitive fixtures, the players who were either substitutes or unused in the match formed the core of the group on the training pitch.
Boulaye Dia was the only absentee, with the remainder of the squad reporting for duty despite the unrelenting drizzle.
Among those who trained were Ibrahima Mbaye, Iliman Ndiaye, Ousseynou Niang, Cheikh Tidiane Sabaly, captain Kalidou Koulibaly, goalkeepers Yehvann Diouf and Mory Diaw, as well as Pape Matar Sarr, Habib Diallo, Mamadou Sarr, El Hadj Malick Diouf, Pathé Ciss and Lamine Camara.
The session, however, did not go entirely to plan.
Camara, who suffered a blow to his ankle in the earlier group match against Benin, was unable to complete the programme.
After initially joining in the exercises, the midfielder was withdrawn before the end of training as a precaution, with medical staff keen not to aggravate the problem.
His condition will continue to be assessed over the coming days, with the Senegalese camp anxious to determine whether the young playmaker will be available for the next stage of the tournament.
The Lions are due to contest their quarter-final on Friday, and while there has been no official diagnosis, the coaching team is expected to take no risks with one of its key assets.
For the rest of the squad, the focus now turns firmly to preparation for the knockout phase.
The controlled nature of the Tangier session was designed to keep players sharp without placing undue strain on tired legs, especially after the physical demands of the Sudan encounter.
Although the weather showed no sign of relenting, the mood within the camp appeared calm and concentrated, reflecting a group determined to maintain momentum as the competition enters its decisive stages.
With further training planned in the coming days, Senegal will hope that Camara’s early exit proves to be nothing more than a minor setback rather than a cause for longer-term concern.
