I stated all through event, Sadio Mane’s absence was a blow to us: Senegal coach after FIFA World Cup exit

England vs Senegal, FIFA World Cup Round of 16: Aliou Cisse lamented the absence of Sadio Mane after Senegal crashed out of the event following a 0-3 defeat towards England within the last-16 match.

New Delhi ,UPDATED: Dec 5, 2022 07:33 IST

Senegal coach Aliou Cisse through the Round of 16 match. (AP Photo)

By India Today Web Desk: Senegal coach Aliou Cisse lamented the absence of star participant Sadio Mane after the aspect crashed out of the FIFA World Cup following a 0-3 defeat towards England within the Round of 16.

After shedding Mane by way of harm, Senegal managed to achieve the last-16 stage however have been reminded of his affect in Sunday’s conflict towards England on the Al Bayt Stadium.

Mane, the present African Footballer of the Year, was dominated out on the eve of the Qatar World Cup owing to a knee harm, which he suffered in a Bayern Munich match within the Bundesliga.

Mane was thought-about as Africa’s finest hope to make a mark within the event after the continent noticed all 5 representatives failing to sail by way of group stage through the 2018 World Cup. However, expectations from Senegal considerably lowered with the absence of Mane.

“I said throughout the tournament his absence was a blow to us. It is tough when you lose a player like that,” stated coach Aliou Cisse on Mane.

Senegal, who received the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this yr, wanted their captain Kalidou Koulibaly and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy to fill the void.

Senegal began off their marketing campaign by permitting a chance to attract with the Netherlands slip from their fingers of their opening match. The crew bounced again by confidently beating the hosts Qatar after which displayed willpower to edge previous Ecuador to complete second within the group.

“We have worked for years to be African champions but now we were up against one of the top five teams in the world and I think you saw the difference tonight,” stated Cisse after defeat towards England. “We were playing a very good England team and you saw that in the challenges and their physical strength. Plus we were not as good as we should have been.”

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Dec 5, 2022