Gueye still hungry for more success with Senegal

by Staff Reporter

Monday Sep 25, 2023. 17:00

Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye has set his sights on helping Senegal retain the Africa Cup of Nations title in Ivory Coast at the start of next year.

The 33-year-old won his 100th cap for the Lions of Teranga earlier this year and is expected to be included in Aliou Cisse’s squad for the tournament which runs from January 13 to February 11.

Cisse’s side lifted the coveted AFCON trophy for the first time in their history in 2022 and they’ll be amongst the favourites to come out on top again in five months’ time.

Gueye has become a key figure in midfield for the Toffees, featuring in all six Premier League games this season, but he could miss up to five top-flight matches if Senegal go all way once more.

The former Paris Saint-Germain star, who returned to Goodison Park in September 2022, has expressed pride in reaching a century of appearances for his country, although he wants to achieve more.

“It is something I am really proud of. It was always a dream to represent my country,” Gueye told the club’s in-house media. “Now, to have been in the team for so long, it is an achievement I am very proud of.

“It is okay talking about how great it is to have played 100 games, but you want to leave the team having won something. Fortunately, we won last time, and I have managed to represent us at World Cups.

“Hopefully, with the next Africa Cup of Nations just around the corner, we can achieve something in that as well. As I say, it is great representing, but we want to win.”