Senegal coach Alain Giresse has explained his decision to omit Diafra Sakho from the 23-man squad for the AFCON 2015 qualifiers double-header against Tunisia. Despite Sakho’s impressive form at West Ham, Giresse cited the depth in attacking options as the primary reason for leaving him out.
“As for Sakho, it’s due to the fact that we have attacking potential,” Giresse said. “He’s definitely taking his place. He’s also moving up the ladder, which is good for him, for the national team, and for his club. But the players who are here have shown that they’re finding their form again, like Papiss Demba Cissé. They have good physical condition and experience that’s still useful. After that, it creates a bottleneck, and it’s a choice I made, even if it’s debatable.”
Giresse had previously justified Sakho’s absence during matches against Egypt and Botswana by pointing to the striker’s recent club change and the need for him to settle in. While acknowledging Sakho’s rise, Giresse appears to be prioritizing experience and form continuity in his current selection.
The decision may spark debate among fans, especially given Sakho’s strong performances in the Premier League, but Giresse stands by the tactical reasoning behind the call.
