Senegal Faces Key Absence Ahead of Crucial CAN Qualifier Against Egypt
Senegal’s preparations for their crucial Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2015 qualifier against Egypt on Friday, September 5, have been dealt a significant blow with the likely absence of striker Demba Bâ. The forward, a pivotal figure in the Lions’ attack, is sidelined due to injury sustained last week.
Although initial reports were unconfirmed by both Bâ and the Senegalese technical staff, all major Senegalese sports outlets now confirm the striker’s unavailability. The injury occurred during Besiktas’s UEFA Champions League play-off second-leg match against Arsenal last Wednesday, which ended in a 1-0 defeat. The severity of the injury prevented Bâ from featuring in Besiktas’s Turkish league opener on Saturday, a 1-0 loss to Idman Yuldu.
Bâ, who was expected to join the Senegal national team training camp in Dakar on Sunday, remains absent. The squad currently consists of ten players, including notable names such as Mame Biram Diouf—who scored for Stoke City in their Premier League clash against Manchester City on Saturday—alongside midfielders Gana Gueye and Pape Ndiaye Souaré from Lille, goalkeeper Lys Gomis of Trapani, and defenders Cheikh Mbengue (Rennes) and Kara Mbodji (Genk).
Other players present include Pape Demba Camara (Sochaux), Cheikhou Kouyaté (West Ham), Zargo Touré (Le Havre), and Issa Cissokho (Nantes), rounding out a squad keen to maintain their qualifying campaign momentum.
On the Egyptian side, sources indicate that the Pharaohs, fresh off a 1-0 friendly victory over Kenya last Friday, are scheduled to arrive in Dakar on Wednesday ahead of the fixture. Rumors suggesting that Egypt sought to postpone the match due to Senegal’s recent Ebola case were categorically denied by the Senegalese Football Federation.
This qualifier is crucial for both teams, setting the tone for the competition ahead in Morocco. Senegal will need to adapt their attacking strategies without Bâ, whose goal-scoring prowess has been a consistent asset. The team’s ability to rally and perform in his absence will be tested against a confident Egyptian side eager to secure early qualification points.
As the countdown to kick-off begins, the focus shifts to how Senegal’s coaching staff will manage this setback and whether replacements can step up to fill the void left by Bâ.
