Senegal have opted for a cloak-and-dagger approach to their preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against Egypt, conducting training sessions in Tangier under strict secrecy as the countdown to Wednesday’s showdown continues.
With qualification to the final at stake, the Teranga Lions have deliberately limited access to their camp, allowing only minimal media presence as they resumed training following their quarter-final success.
Initial sessions were held at the team’s hotel and focused primarily on physical recovery, reflecting a controlled and methodical build-up rather than public spectacle.
The team is scheduled to hold its main tactical session at the Grand Stade de Tanger on Tuesday afternoon, but even that workout will take place under tight restrictions.
Media access will be heavily curtailed, underlining Senegal’s determination to keep their plans away from public view and preserve any competitive edge ahead of a fixture loaded with history.
The approach is consistent with the philosophy of head coach Pape Thiaw, whose tenure has been marked by discipline and an emphasis on internal focus.
Thiaw has repeatedly favoured calm, low-profile preparation over the distractions that often accompany high-stakes matches, particularly at the latter stages of major tournaments.
Egypt arrive for the semi-final buoyed by a dramatic 3-2 victory over defending champions Ivory Coast on Saturday, a result that reinforced their credentials as perennial contenders. That win set up another high-profile meeting with Senegal, renewing a rivalry that has defined African football in recent years.
The two sides have crossed paths repeatedly since 2022, when Senegal edged Egypt on penalties to win their first AFCON title. Months later, they again prevailed in a shootout to deny the Pharaohs a place at the World Cup.
