Senegal preparations for their round of-16 World Cup clash against England come with dismay as their head coach Aliou Cisse may not be available due to fever.
Senegal boss Aliou Cisse has steered up unrest on the eve of today’s clash with Southgate’s Three Lions squad by pulling out of his pre-match media duties, claiming to be down with a fever and unable to attend training for two days.
According to Senegal assistant manager Regis Bogaert, Cisse was unable to take training on Friday ahead of Sunday’s crucial clash against England in Qatar and the coach also missed Senegal’s pre-match press conference on Saturday.
Senegal have definitely not embraced their media relations duties so far in the Qatar World Cup.
Cisse’s team was fined £8,700 for refusing to come with a player in their press conference ahead of Ecuador match.
However, this time, the African giant sent third-choice goalkeeper Alfred Gomis to answer media questions alongside the team’s assistant manager Bogaert ahead of England’s clash.
Senegalese assistant manager Regis Bogaert went for a press conference in Cisse’s absence, alongside the team’s third-choice keeper Alfred Gomis, as the coach missed the meeting with the media after falling sick.
During the press conference, Regis Bogaert said he is confident that Cisse will be seen in his sturdy form to manage his side to victory in Sunday’s crucial clash with England at the Al Bayt Stadium.
Regis Bogaert, in the pre-match press conference said: ‘He, has been sick for a couple of days,’.
‘He had a temperature so we had to be careful. Hopefully, he will be on the bench. We are sure he’ll be there with the team.’
For the Senegalese to be without the 46-year-old veteran coach on the touchline might endanger their World Cup ambition.
Meanwhile, the football ruling body, FIFA, has recommended that teams should follow a Covid-19 testing program but it is not compulsory.
The African champions can only hope their coach bounces back to his full health and give them the confidence they need to face the hungry and fearful England team.
Senegal who qualified for the last 16 by finishing in the second place in Group A will be going into a crucial round of 16 clashes against England on Sunday, December 4.
Aliou Cisse’s side has been one of the African significant representatives in Qatar’s 2022 World Cup after winning the Africa Cup of Nations and they will hope to add to their tallies by defeating England in today’s crucial match.
When asked to compare beating England to Senegal conquering France at the 2002 World Cup, Cisse’s subordinate Bogaert gave a skeptical remark, saying: “I don’t know how important it would reach.”
Cisse’s team will lock horns in a crucial match with Gareth Southgate’s England squad today, December 4 at Al Bayt Stadium with kickoff scheduled at 8 pm.
