The reigning champions of the Africa Cup of Nations, Senegal, have been compelled to make two last-minute changes to their squad just days before commencing their title defense.
Striker Boulaye Dia and substitute goalkeeper Sény Diang have been ruled out of the tournament set to kick off in Ivory Coast this coming Saturday.
The Senegalese Football Federation announced on Tuesday that Bamba Dieng and Alfred Gomis, both playing for the struggling French club Lorient, would replace Dia and Diang, respectively.
Dia’s participation had been uncertain since he sustained a knee injury while playing for his club Salernitana against Milan in the Italian Serie A on December 22 last year.
Despite the injury, he was given time to attempt recovery.
Sény Diang, the goalkeeper from Middlesbrough, joined the Senegal national team’s training camp in Dakar with hopes of regaining fitness, but unfortunately, he did not succeed.
He suffered a thigh injury during his team’s Championship (EFL) win over Swansea City on December 16.
The inclusion of Dieng and Gomis in Senegal’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations is another blow to Lorient, currently second-to-last in the French league.
The club already has five players participating in the tournament – Darly N’Landu (Cameroon), Gideon Kalulu (DR Congo), Sada Thioub (Mali), Formose Mendy (Senegal), and Monsir Talbi (Tunisia).
The absence of the Senegalese duo leaves the team weakened for their upcoming away match against Lille next Sunday and their subsequent home game against Le Havre on January 28.
Senegal kicks off their Africa Cup of Nations campaign against Gambia next Monday in Yamoussoukro.
The injuries present an unexpected challenge for the defending champions as they embark on their quest for continental glory.
