As Senegal intensifies its preparations for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023, the latest update following the fourth training session reveals a squad of twenty players in attendance. However, the session saw notable absentees, including star players Sadio Mané and Cheikhou Kouyaté.
While eighteen players actively participated in today’s training, the absence of Mané and Kouyaté is a point of interest for fans and pundits alike.
The duo’s non-participation could be a strategic decision by the coaching staff or attributed to individual fitness considerations.
A total of seven players remain unavailable for training at present. Abdallah Sima, who recently featured for Glasgow Rangers in a championship match on Tuesday, and Pathé Ciss, with an impending Spanish Liga match for Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday, are among those yet to join the training sessions.
Injury sidelines key players Boulaye Dia, Pape Matar Sarr, Idrissa Gana Gueye, Seny Dieng, and Youssouf Sabaly, contributing to the current absentee list.
AFCON 2023, set to unfold across five cities and stadiums in Ivory Coast, will showcase matches at the Alassane Ouattara and Félix Houphouët-Boigny stadiums in Abidjan, the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké, the Amadou Gon Coulibaly stadium in Korhogo, the Laurent Pokou stadium in San-Pedro, and the Charles Konan Banny stadium in Yamoussoukro.
The Alassane Ouattara stadium in Abidjan has been earmarked to host the opening and final matches.
Reigning African champions Senegal find themselves placed in Pool C alongside formidable opponents Cameroon, Guinea, and Gambia.
The Lions of Teranga are gearing up for their initial encounter against the Gambia Scorpions scheduled for January 15 at 2 p.m. GMT.
The tournament’s curtain-raiser is set for 8 p.m. GMT, featuring the host nation Ivory Coast against Guinea-Bissau.
As anticipation builds for the spectacle of AFCON 2023, the intricacies of Senegal’s training dynamics add an extra layer of intrigue to the continent’s premier football event.
