Sunday Mar 20, 2022. 14:00
Senegal head coach Aliou Cisse has explained his squad selection criteria ahead of their two crucial matches against Egypt.
The Lions of Terenga will square off with the Pharaohs over two legs for a place at the 2022 FIFA World Cup finals in Qatar at the end of the year.
It will also be a repeat of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final between two teams with Senegal winning the match on penalties and they clinched their maiden continental title.
Cisse has named a squad made up of players who were part of the 2021 AFCON title-winning side as he looks to guide his side to the finals of the global showpiece.
“Today, we are facing two deadlines which are important for Senegalese football, the playoffs and the qualification for the 2022 World Cup in November and December,” Cisse told Taggat.
“These games against Egypt, the team that we have just beaten on penalties in the AFCON final are still very difficult.”
Sadio Mane, Kalidou Koulibaly, Idrissa Gueye, Bouna Sarr, and Cheikhou Kouyate headline the squad named by the former Senegal captain and midfielder.
“For these two encounters, we thought it was crucial to have continuity. It’s important to stay true to what we [the technical staff] did, what we are doing and what the boys did in the AFCON,” he added.
“This is why we brought back the same group, in whom we have total confidence in terms of skills and attitude.”
The first leg between Egypt and Senegal will be played in Cairo on Friday 29 March, with the return scheduled for Dakar on Tuesday 29 March.
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