Senegal will be without key players Boulaye Dia and Lamine Camara in their crucial AFCON 2025 qualifier against Burkina Faso on Thursday evening in Bamako. The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) confirmed the absences in an official statement earlier today.
Lamine Camara, a midfielder for AS Monaco, was ruled out due to an adductor injury.
The 20-year-old has been pivotal in Senegal’s midfield, but the severity of his condition means he will miss this penultimate Group L clash.
Joining him on the sidelines is Lazio forward Boulaye Dia, who suffered a bout of malaria on the day the team was set to depart for Bamako.
The FSF explained, “Boulaye Dia had a malaria attack on the day of departure for Bamako, which is why he stayed in Dakar to continue his treatment.”
The Senegalese medical team is closely monitoring both players’ progress, with hopes of their return in time for the final qualifier
against Burundi next Tuesday. However, their participation in that match remains uncertain.
“The national team doctors are closely monitoring the health of the two players,” added the FSF, underlining their commitment to ensuring the players’ full recovery before they rejoin the squad.
The match against Burkina Faso is crucial for both teams, with top spot in Group L on the line. Senegal, tied on points with Burkina Faso, must navigate this encounter without two of their key contributors.
The absences will test the depth of Aliou Cissé’s squad as they look to maintain their unbeaten record in the qualifiers.
While the Lions of Teranga have already secured their place in the AFCON 2025 finals, finishing as group leaders would solidify their status as one of the tournament favorites.
However, overcoming the challenge posed by Burkina Faso on neutral ground in Bamako becomes a tougher task without Dia’s attacking prowess and Camara’s midfield stability.
As Senegal prepare for Thursday’s match, the focus will also be on getting their injured stars ready for the encounter against Burundi.
With the group leadership still undecided, their eventual return could prove crucial in sealing Senegal’s dominance in Group L.
La FSF informe le public que les joueurs Boulaye Dia et Lamine Camara sont forfaits pour le match Burkina Faso-Sénégal de ce jeudi 14 novembre 2024.
Boulaye Dia a eu un accès palustre le jour du départ pour Bamako, raison pour laquelle il est resté à Dakar pour continuer son… pic.twitter.com/EitxF00Qq7
— Equipe du Sénégal (@GaindeYi) November 14, 2024
