Seny Dieng and Boulaye Dia, grappling with injuries ahead of the highly anticipated African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast, may find themselves unable to participate. The setback raises questions about the potential impact on the Lions of Teranga, with speculations swirling around the prospective replacements, Alfred Gomis and Bamba Dieng.
Both Seny Dieng, the Middlesbrough goalkeeper, and Boulaye Dia, the Salernitana striker, sustained injuries prior to the commencement of the Lions’ preparations for the tournament.
Regrettably, the progress of their physical conditions appears to be unfavorable, casting doubt on their availability for AFCON.
In a press conference held on Sunday, Aliou Cissé, the Senegal national team coach, conveyed a lack of optimism regarding the health status of the two players.
Information sourced from 13football further suggests that Seny and Boulaye are increasingly likely to withdraw from AFCON, dealing a significant blow to Kalidou Koulibaly and his teammates, who had relied on the duo’s crucial contributions in the 2022 campaign.
In anticipation of the potential void left by Dieng and Dia, Aliou Cissé has proactively identified replacements.
Alfred Gomis, a 30-year-old with 16 international caps, and Bamba Dieng, a 23-year-old with 18 caps, are poised to step in as reinforcements.
Both players, affiliated with FC Lorient, bring a wealth of experience to the squad and are familiar faces in the national team setup.
As Senegal braces for the upcoming AFCON, the prospective changes in the lineup underscore the unpredictable nature of football and the imperative for swift adaptability.
The final decision on Dieng and Dia’s participation remains pending, leaving fans and football enthusiasts eagerly awaiting updates on the unfolding situation.
🚨 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨 𝟏𝟑𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥: 𝐁𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐚 𝐃𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐭 𝐀𝐥𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐆𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐧 𝐩ô𝐥𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐚 𝐞𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐲𝐧𝐢 𝐃𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐫è𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐮 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐭. L’ attaquant de Lorient Fc doit arriver ce… pic.twitter.com/NluMgqYB76
— 13football_com (@13footballC) January 7, 2024
