Sports
AFCON 2023: We are sorry for the loss – Aliou Cisse
The Terranga Lions of Senegal coach, Aliou Cisse has issued an apology on Senegal's defeat to host nation, Ivory Coast in the AFCON.
The defending champions were eliminated 5:4 on penalties after a 1:1 draw at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamossoukro.
They took the lead courtesy Habib Diallo in the 4th minute as Ivory Coast equalised through a penalty by Frank Kessie in the 86th minute after a VAR review.
Cisse said the defeat is a bitter pill to swallow as the players were left crying.
“I’m disappointed after this result, especially for our players. We came here to win the title and play for our people. That’s football; in 2022 we were happy and in 2024 the opposite is happening”.
“Sorry to our players and the Senegalese people. It’s tough to see the players cry in the locker room.
Senegal lacked the usual rhythm associated with their style of play, thanks to a determined performance from the Ivorians who relentlessly attacked after going down by 1:0 which disrupted Senegal’s game plan.
“The match was strange and complicated, we could have won the game. We lost on penalties, we kept our lead until the last 5 minutes of the match”. Aliou Cisse pointed.
“I’m disappointed after this defeat, especially after the performance we put up during the match and from the first match of the competition.
“We need to make changes after this defeat, we will see what happens in the future. There is sorrow and our players are sad the same as the Senegalese people.
“We prepared well for this competition and let’s not forget we had three wins during the group stages”. Aliou Cisse said.
Source:Fiilasports/maiwassani
