Forward of the thirty fourth version of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) kick-off in Ivory Coast, Senegal captain Sadio Mane stated it might be a particular achievement for him to raise the AFCON title once more.
Senegal gained the final AFCON version in 2021, defeating Egypt on penalties within the last in Cameroon.
In an interview with CAFOnline, the 31-year-old stated the AFCON trophy stays top-of-the-line trophies he has gained and is assured Senegal can defend the title.
Senegal is drawn in Group C alongside Cameroon, Guinea and The Gambia.
Senegal will kick off their title defence in opposition to The Gambia on January 15, earlier than taking part in the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon three days later and conclude their Group C match in opposition to Guinea on January 23.
“Firstly, profitable the AFCON was one of the best trophy I’ve ever gained, and coming to do it once more can be a particular and large achievement,” Mane instructed CAFOnline.
“It’s been a dream to play on this competitors since I used to be a child, and we’ll do our greatest. Successful the AFCON will significantly impression our soccer as a result of we have now gained all the opposite classes, which is nice for the nation.”
Mane additionally acknowledges that the 2023 AFCON would be the hardest within the event’s historical past as Africa’s largest soccer nations certified for the 2023 AFCON and had been all aiming to win.
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“We all know it gained’t be simple, however we can be there to do our greatest and attempt to undergo each spherical. We expect powerful competitors,” Mane added.
“This competitors can be one of many strongest since I began taking part in in it as a result of all the massive international locations are right here, they usually all have their targets, however we’ll see what’s going to occur.”
