AFCON 2023: Defending champions Senegal eager for winning start against Gambia
Defending champions, Senegal will begin their title defense against The Gambia on Monday when both sides clash in their opening Group C fixture at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
With players like Sadio Mane in their lineup, coach Aliou Cisse and his all-star team are considered one of the tournament favorites, and nothing less than a second straight win would be satisfactory.
It’s interesting to note that in the last six competitions, no African winner has advanced past the round of 16. The fact that the reigning champions have won their opening match in each of the previous four editions is another intriguing element that works in their favor.
Senegal takes against one of the competition’s underdogs, who are only making their second participation, in The Gambia. But this is the same country that, in 2021, made it to the quarterfinals during their first participation.
The Gambia coach, Tom Saintfiet, told CAFOnline upon their arrival that they were well prepared for the competition and hoped to do well in their second appearance.
“We are delighted to arrive in Côte d’Ivoire for the second consecutive Africa Cup of Nations. We are well prepared for the competition, and we are ready for the start of the competition. We expect the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Côte d’Ivoire to be special and good, especially with the presence of The Gambia in Group C alongside Senegal, Guinea and Cameroon”