As they look to open the 2022 FIFA World Cup assignment with a win against the Netherlands, Senegal coach Aliou Cisse has admitted that losing Sadio Mane is a blow.
Mane was ruled out of the global showpiece owing to an injury that will need surgery and his coach believes the international football fraternity and not only the Senegalese are hurt.
Cisse said the football family are “saddened” by Mane’s absence but his side will “rise to the challenge” at the World Cup.
The reigning African champions, Senegal, are set to open their Group A campaign against the Netherlands on Monday (16:00 GMT) and Mane’s absence will definitely be felt by the West Africans.
“We are not just talking about Senegalese people but people worldwide and the whole football family is saddened,” said Cisse per BBC.
“He represents the African continent as well as Senegal,” he added. “I have received phone calls from around the world.
“All coaches build teams around their best player, that is also the case for us. We have a Liverpool teammate, a strong team as well, with experienced and young players ready to rise to the challenge.”
Speaking about his former Liverpool, Netherlands skipper Virgil van Dijk said he spoke to his former teammate, Mane, and managed to console him.
“As a friend, I just wanted to know how he was. I feel sad for him. I know how hard he worked for this and he wants to be important for Senegal,” he added.
“He has been important in the last few years especially. It is tough. Obviously, he will be a big miss for them. Hopefully, we can benefit a little bit from that.”
At the same time, Cisse insisted that his men must be confident to ensure that they remain confident.
“That’s the kind of confidence I want my players to have. I want them to tell themselves that if France can win, why not us?,” he said.
Main Image: Aliou Cisse/BBC
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