Alain Giresse’s appointment as the coach of the Senegal national football team and his thoughts on the challenges ahead are notable developments for Senegalese football. Here are the key points from the information provided:
- Appointment of Alain Giresse: Senegal has chosen Alain Giresse, a former coach of the Gabon national team, as their new coach. The decision reflects Senegal’s commitment to turning the page and building a new chapter in their football journey.
- Senegal’s Disappointment in CAN Qualifiers: The report mentions that Senegal was disappointed during the qualifiers for the African Cup of Nations (CAN), leading to their absence from the tournament in South Africa.
- Challenges and Goals: Alain Giresse acknowledges the daily challenges of being a coach and emphasizes that Senegal must aim to participate permanently or almost permanently in the CAN. Additionally, he views qualifying for the World Cup in Brazil 2014 as a bonus, given the limited slots for African countries in the tournament.
- Home Field Disadvantage: Giresse highlights the challenge of playing home matches in a different venue due to the suspension of Senegal’s home ground by CAF. He recognizes that not having the support of the home crowd is a problem for the players and a handicap for the team.
- Debut Match: Alain Giresse is set to lead Senegal in his first match on February 5, a friendly against the national team of Guinea (Sily National).
The coach’s focus on long-term participation in continental competitions and the acknowledgment of challenges, including the home field disadvantage, indicate a realistic and strategic approach to rebuilding and strengthening Senegal’s football program under his leadership.
