One of Super Eagles obstacle to their fourth AFCON title in Cote d'Ivoire, the Teranga lions of Senegal have been forced to make two changes after getting hit with injuries, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
With days to the start of the 2023 AFCON in Senegal, the defending Champions will miss the services of forward Boulaye Dia and backup goalkeeper Seny Dieng.
According to reports, the Senegalese Federation said on Tuesday that they will be replaced by Bamba Dieng and Alfred Gomis, both from the failing French club Lorient.
Dia’s participation has been in doubt since December 22, when he hurt his knee while playing for Salernitana against AC Milan in Serie A, but he has been granted time to heal.
Middlesborough goalkeeper Dieng also travelled to Senegal’s pre-tournament training camp in Dakar in the hope of proving his fitness, but was unsuccessful. He had suffered a thigh injury in his club’s Championship victory at Swansea City on Dec. 16.
The new call-ups are a further blow to Lorient, who are second last in the Ligue 1 standings. They already have five players who have gone to the Cup of Nations — Darlin Yongwa (Cameroon), Gedeon Kalulu (DR Congo), Sirine Doucoure (Mali), Formose Mendy (Senegal) and Montassar Talbi (Tunisia).
Senegal will start the defence of the title the won 2022 in Cameroon on Monday against the Gambia in Yamoussoukro.
They will also play Cameroon and Guinea in group C of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d'Ivoire.
By Oluwayem Omolagba