Pierre Menès, a former senior reporter for the French sports daily L’Équipe and current Canal+ journalist, shared his insights on the crucial Senegal vs. Ivory Coast match for qualification for CAN 2013. In an interview with Le Soleil, he discussed the strengths and weaknesses of the two teams, as well as broader issues in African football.
Mènes expressed regret that teams of the caliber of Senegal and Ivory Coast have to face each other directly in a qualifier. He noted that Senegal has renewed its team, but the absence of experienced players like Souleymane Diawara could affect both on-field performance and the team’s spirit. According to Mènes, Ivory Coast’s main asset and the primary threat to Senegal lie in its forward line, especially with the presence of Didier Drogba.
On the management and competitiveness of African teams, Mènes pointed out that there are high expectations on French-speaking black African teams, and each defeat is often seen as a humiliation, leading to inconsistency and instability. He emphasized the need for better structures, combining the powerful and athletic aspects of African football with creativity and fantasy.
Regarding the increasing number of binational players trained in European centers, Mènes acknowledged that exposure to French training centers could provide African players with tactical rigor. However, he raised concerns about the dual nationality issue, where players trained in France can later choose to play for their country of origin. Mènes mentioned players like Belhanda, Moussa Sow, and Cheikh Mbengue who were junior world champions with France before representing their countries of origin. While recognizing the talents these players bring to big matches, he highlighted the regret of some trainers about the potential loss of technical subtlety due to the influence of European training centers.
In conclusion, Mènes expressed anticipation for the Senegal vs. Ivory Coast match, emphasizing the importance of great players showcasing their talents during significant matches.
