AFCON 2021 FINAL: Senegal Says It’s The Trophy This Time
Teranga Lions confident of winning first AFCON title in their third appearance in the final
Senegal and Egypt will lock horns in the finals of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations at Paul Biya Stadium on Sunday.
The Lions of Teranga, who’ve never won the cup before, are into their second consecutive finals of the competition.
Losing twice in the two final matches they played (2002 and 2019), Senegal are hoping for a “third time lucky” this time round.
The Teranga Lions had less complicated tests given the opponents’ road to the final. After beating Zimbabwe 1-0 and two goalless draws with Guinea and Malawi to top their Group, Sadio Mané’s teammates defeated Cape Verde 2-0, Equatorial Guinea 3-1 then Burkina Faso by the same score in the knockouts.
Once again they will rely on the vast experience of Liverpool superstar Sadio Mane, Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly among others.
Aliou Cissé,Coach of the Teranga Lions believes they will be lucky this time.
“We prepared well for our final with the players who are determined and confident to put in a good show.
”We will approach this final with determination against a great Egyptian team. We know our opponent well; they have their own philosophy of play with experienced players on the continental level.
” We are on the way to our objective of winning the title this Sunday evening. We must focus on the final, play it well and thus succeed in our match.’
”We will have to take advantage of the moment. We lost two finals in the past, but this time we will approach the match with more determination”.
Napoli defender Khalidou Coulibaly, captain of the Teranga Lions is also confident a new chapter will be written for Senegalese football Sunday evening.
“After missing the final in 2019, I will be there on Sunday to write the history of Senegalese football.
”The most important thing for me is to offer Senegal and the Senegalese people the trophy. We must realize our dream, that of to win the final crowning.
”We are keen to play well, to perform well to win this final. It will certainly be the most important match of my career and I will play it with all the determination and ardor necessary to win the tournament”.
